The Warrior's Arrow

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5

For a warrior to have the best chance of surviving a battle he knew to always have a quiver full of arrows. As he defended himself, his home, or his city he knew that some arrows would hit their intended target but others would get caught in the wind and miss. Others may hit something else and veer off course from their target. As parents, all we can do is point our children in the right direction and let them go. They may miss the intended target, may get caught in a sudden gust of wind and veer off course for a while, and may hit the bulls eye. All God asks us to do is point the arrow, let them go, and let Him control the flight. Sometimes the warrior had to hold his arrow back until the target was in better sight and the shot could be made. It took a lot of strength and patience to hold the arrow in the ready position and wait for the right time to shoot. Parents have to hold their children back sometimes until the wind has calmed down or the target is in full view.

God also uses our children to teach us how to love someone unconditionally, how to sacrifice our comfort sometimes, how to truly have faith, and most of all, to pray continually. In Psalm 3, God tells us that children are a heritage and a reward from Him. Without them we do not learn to have faith, to trust, and to give totally of ourselves. I pray every day and thank God for putting my children in my life. Of all the people on this earth, He chose me to be their dad. I also pray that my wife and I have pointed them in the right direction, carefully chosen the correct time, and let them go when they were ready.

At this time of year many parents, including me and my wife, are preparing to send a child to college. For most of us, this time of life has arrived much faster than we had expected and we probably think of something each day that we have forgotten to teach our child before they leave our house. I prayed today to have faith that God has prepared my child for this new stage of life. I also prayed for God to use this time in the life of my family to draw us closer than ever and for the bond that holds us together to grow even stronger. I pray He will do the same for your family.

Chad