“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.”
Psalm 127:4

This is one of my favorite verses from the book of Psalms.  I’ve learned that whenever I see imagery used in Scripture, it’s time to pay close attention. God has something very important for me to take away from that image.

7 St. John arrows; six in the quiver and one in the bow

The Bible is replete with images and verses which tell us that we are engaged in a battle: a very real battle with very real consequences.  We’re in a spiritual battle. In Ephesians we read,

“¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

The imagery here is a powerful reminder of a beautiful relationship.  God gives children to us as “arrows” in the hands of a warrior.  That makes you a warrior, busy mom!  And you’re not just a run-of-the-mill warrior, either—you are an archer.  You’re in the arrow-launching business!

I love the imagery of this sculpture.  It was made for me by the son of dear friends, and it illustrates the way we should see ourselves as parents: we’re launching our arrows for the Kingdom, aren’t we?  Notice the way this couple is engaged in battle: the husband, in front of his wife, protecting her and shielding her from enemy arrows.

His wife is not standing by passively, is she?  No—because she is part of a team with her husband; a dynamic duo, if you will, for the Kingdom!  This woman is launching her arrows out into the world under the protection and covering of her shield-weilding husband.  What a powerful image!

So how do we launch our arrows?

It helps to remember three key things:

1.  Our children have been given to us as gifts—as arrows in the hands of a warrior. It is our job to tenderly train and teach them to walk with the Lord.  Ephesians 6 – “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
2. We are in is a spiritual battle. We can’t lose sight of this fact. When we do,we forget who the real enemy is.  Our kids are not the enemy. Our husband is not the enemy.  Satan is the enemy.  And one of his prime targets is Christian families.  Gird up!  Be ready. Protect your marriage. Protect your family.
3. A good marriage is a partnership—a dynamic duo for the Kingdom!  The goal of Christian parenting is best achieved inside this amazing partnership.  This means that nurturing our marriages is of primary importance! It’s not secondary to raising children—it’s essential to it.

Seeing or marriages in light of eternity is a vision-sharpening experience, isn’t it?

Are your ready to launch your arrows?

Gird up,
Heidi