This week, one of my arrows is outside of the quiver. You know, there is a passage about children being like a quiver full of arrows.
Psalms 127: 3- 5, NIV
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.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
This week, the house has seemed quieter with a child away for camp. One of those arrows is conspicuously missing. This will be corrected tomorrow as she returns home.
So, if it is hard to let my child be away from me, then why do I do it? Arrows in the quiver appear safe, but they are not. They grow dull, they become broken, and they lose their ability to fulfill their mission.
The brave, strong warrior knows that arrows must be ready. You see, arrows have to be sharpened and honed. They need to be aimed carefully and fly. Then, then need to be retrieved and prepared for the next battle.
An arrow that is weak and does not know how to fly will not bring honor to the strong warrior in his older age. A broken arrow or a dull arrow adds weight to the quiver but not value.
As my children grow older, then I must grow braver like the young warrior in Psalms 127. It is not always easy to let them fly into battle. On the other hand, I don’t want a quiver full of broken unprepared arrows. Ready, aim, fire…