To my boys....

I gave you life, but I cannot live for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot always be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot decide for you.
I can buy you neat clothes, but I cannot make you nice inside.
I can offer advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can teach you to be a friend, but I cannot make you one.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can grieve about your report cards, but I cannot make you study.
I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you.
I can teach you about sex and the facts of life, but I cannot decide for you.
I can tell you about drinking and drugs, but I cannot prevent you from using them.
I can teach you about goals and dreams, but I cannot force you to be kind.
I can warn you about sin, but I cannot make your morals.
I can love you as a son (or daughter), but I cannot place you in God's family .
I can pray for you and your future, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you about Jesus, but I cannot make Him your Savior.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
Thanks for listening, good luck with your future, I love you son.
Love,
Mom

I got this in an email today and it rang so true. All I can do is raise them up the best I can and pray they make wise choices. This scares me. All I want is for them to grow up into wonderful, self sufficient, loving men. I can only pray that this will happen.