There’s a saying in my home that is said quite often. “We are helping each other to heaven.” This saying used to be between my husband and I, but as my sons grew, they have picked up on it too. Whenever one of us does something that is not bringing us closer to God, another will approach us with a sly smile correcting us and always ending with a “We are helping each other to heaven!” While my husband and I committed to do this on our wedding day we are also raising our sons to know their purpose in this life is to get to heaven.

My three sons – Aaron, Connor, and Cooper – are beautiful blessings from God and I cherish them every moment of the day. Even the moments when they test my patience, when I remind them they are not the center of the universe, or when they wrestle over anything and everything. But I especially cherish the moments that give me glimpses into the future of the types of men they’ll be. The moments when they put themselves last and others first, when they linger at the door waiting to hold it open for the next person coming in, or when they embrace their brother Connor with such respect and compassion. It is my greatest desire to send my little men out into the world ready to finish the race strong at any moment, and I pray they can attract more to heaven on their way.

On this National Sons Day, here are some lessons I want my sons to learn before leaving our home to choose their own earthly vocation:

1. Your good works are signs of God’s grace actively working in your life. You should not take the credit.
2. Go out of your way to show kindness to others and you’ll be blessed immensely for it.
3. The value of hard work cannot be understated, and you should always be ready and willing to do it.
4. A man who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. Good manners will open more doors than kicking one down ever will.
5. The dignity of every woman is the duty of every man.
6. Remember, it was pride that changed angels to devils, and it is humility that makes men as angels.
7. It is your responsibility, honor, and privilege to fight against injustices and help the vulnerable.
8. The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.
9. There will be times of suffering and inconveniences, take them with a smile and remember Christ crucified.
10. Prayer and reading the Sacred Scriptures will provide you with more clarity than anything else.
11. Nothing you do can separate you from Christ’s unfailing love.
12. Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.

Happy National Sons Day to all you sons of Christ.
May you be blessed today and always on your walk toward heaven!