Raising Up Arrows

March 28, 2008

"Being Quiver Full is not having the largest quiver, but trusting God with the right size quiver and each arrow that belongs in it."

I think that is a great quote. While I don't necessarily agree with what she MEANS by this quote it is so true that we must trust the Lord with the "Arrows" (or children) He gives us. We had our couples bible study last night and it was on parenting. There was some great statements in there.

• The Arrow is a metaphor for protection - the way you take care of your kids when they're small reflects on the responsibility they will have to take care of you when you get older. (Ps. 127:3-5)
  
• First you prepare the arrow, than you aim the arrow, than you release it towards the target. 
  
• Children are a gift, a reward and a blessing.
  
• Children are a gift from God. They are a sacred stewardship temporarily entrusted to parents for the purpose of raising Godly offspring to fulfill God's agenda for this world.
  
• God isn't nearly as concerned about what our children do as He is about who they are. 
  
• Ultimately, the American dream is about happiness and God's dream is about holiness. If you focus on your children becoming happy, they will rarely become holy. But if you focus on their being holy they will always become happy. 
  

If you are not the person you want your children to become, the greatest gift and the greatest stewardship you could perform right now is to look into the mirror and say, "if there is anything in my life that I wouldn't want my kids to imitate, Oh God, lets go to work on that together right now."

• They will imitate you, not just your actions, but your attitude, your faith, your heart and your motive. 
  
• Modeling doesn't mean that you got it all together. Modeling is being authentic and real and growing, and it's done in the relationship of love. 
  

8 Ways to build relationships that bond (1Thes. 2:7-12)

1. Give your children unconditional love.
   
2. Schedule time. Get time alone with your kids.
   
3. Give focused attention.
   
4. Give eye contact.
   
5. Give meaningful touching.
   
6. Have ongoing communication.
   
7. Have fun together.
   
8. Pray with them.