“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.” ~ Psalm 127:4
REFERENCE:
In our last episode, we discussed a father’s role in helping his children achieve their God-given purpose. The psalmist compares him to an archer who takes great pain to ensure his arrows (children) are aimed and shot to hit their ‘target.’ Success without a successor is a failure. As a father, paying attention to the children who will succeed you is important.
We will continue to look at what an archer must do to succeed with his arrows and draw parallels for how fathers should parent their children. To shoot the arrow, the archer will:
1. Pull it Close to his Mouth: Fathers should speak to their children. Teach, counsel, correct, rebuke, and charge. Children are not born with knowledge and wisdom. You have to teach them. Even after the arrow is shot, the archer keeps speaking, ‘Hit it; hit it.’ So, even after the children have left the house, you must keep speaking – perhaps in prayers and counsel. Let them always hear your voice. You can’t have a sealed mouth and be a good father.
2. Guide it with his Eye: The archer needs keen vision to hit the bullseye. A slight miscalculation of the angle can cause the arrow to miss its mark altogether. Keep an eye on them. Don’t let them out of your sight. Check what they are watching on TV, browsing on the internet, or who their friends are. Look out for them and ensure they don’t derail. O Lord, help me!
3. Release the Arrow: A time comes when the children must be released. You will not be worried if you have done an excellent job of the aforementioned. Don’t keep them for too long, afraid of them facing the world. All arrows are meant to be launched! Thrust them to God and trust God with them. Believe that they will make it in life. Let Go and Let God!
4. Enhance Accuracy: Archers know that to ensure their arrow’s swift and accurate flight, they must polish its shaft until all roughness is removed. They know that if there are rough points, there will be friction with the wind, and their flight will be strenuous. Also, for balance, archers add feathers to the bottom of the arrow. Polish your children with correction and invest in their formal and informal education. Addition of feathers to the arrow, pictures you adding fun and color to their lives; invest in fun time and get them clothes too.
Looking at the above, I am reminded of my inability or inadequacy to always be all these things to my children. But we have a Heavenly Father who wants to help us and make grace available to us. Trust in Him; you will not fail as a father, and your children will turn out well, in Jesus’ name.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Jeremiah 50:9, Proverbs 1:8, and Proverbs 4:1-12
PRAYER:
+ Father, help me overcome my weaknesses and inadequacies so that I can be all I need to be to my children.
+ I will succeed as a father because God the Father will always uphold my hands.
