Tonight I met with other parents who have children at similar ages and stages to our own. The conversation flowed freely and at the end we did a simple exercise, with the intention of praying for our children. We each took a popsicle stick and wrote our child(ren)’s name on it – one name per stick – and then drew an arrow through that child’s name. Then we talked about these verses:
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.” (Psalm 127:3-4 NIV)
Our children are so important to God, even more than they are important to us. As a parent, have you ever thought of yourself as a warrior, preparing a child-arrow to release into the world? An archer has to keep the correct tension on the string, aim in a precise direction, and then know the right time to release so that arrow will hit the target. Parenting is much like that. Timing, direction, and balance are all important to the job of raising the next generation.
But Psalm 127 goes on from there:
“Happy will be the couple who has many of them! A household full of children will not bring shame on your name but victory when you face your enemies, for your offspring will have influence and honor to prevail on your behalf!” (Psalm 127:5 TPT)
When we grow our children up in the training and instruction of the Lord, we prepare those “arrows” to fly and make a mark for God’s Kingdom in our world. It is hard work to prepare these arrows for flight – and that work often involves tension, directing, and careful timing. However, our Spirit-guided work to train and discipline these children will have its fruit as they are influential and live lives of honor.
If today you are struggling with parenting, ask God to help you know how you can be praying and acting to prepare your arrows to help influence the world for God’s Kingdom.
God,
Thank you for the beauty and wonder you create in each child. Thank you for your call and direction to bring up children tenderly and with lovingkindness in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Thank you that you have created Christian parents to be warriors for their faith and their children, and that parents can take children by the hand to lead them in the way of Jesus. Help parents everywhere to prepare these precious child-arrows for flight. Holy Spirit, give parents your wisdom, encouragement, and strength to know the direction, tension, and timing for releasing these arrows and may they fly straight into the Kingdom purposes you have for them.
In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
“Bring [children] up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 AMP)
“Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 6:4 MSG)