Chin Up Devotional: Day 5
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
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.
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.”
We are entrusted with the blessing and gift of souls to raise. And Psalm 127 likens children to "arrows in the hands of a warrior." If children are the arrows, then we are the warriors. We are warriors of the night, fighting fevers and protecting from monsters. We are warriors of the day, using Band-Aids as shields and hugs as hope. We are warriors of the heart, singing love over them and fortifying their spirits.
Warriors shape arrows carefully, whittling them just right for a strong launch into our world. What is your whittling looking like these days?
I like how Emily Ley, in her book A Simplified Life asks, "What habits, traditions, and routines have you implemented with your family?" Do you want to memorize scripture with your kids? Do you want to have a family pizza and game night? Do you have family values you want each child to know and come back to regularly?
Emily's family rules are: "Be kind. Use manners. Always listen. Love big." She has them posted beautifully in her kitchen for her family of youngsters. They all know it, repeat it often, and go back to it when things veer off course.
Something we say regularly in our home is: "Seifferts are truth-tellers." We may or may not have some big storytellers with wild imaginations (no idea where that's coming from). We need steered back in the right direction with compass phrases.
This morning, take a moment and write three virtues you want your children to have. What kind of plan can you put into place for raising straight and strong arrows? Are there family rules you would like to have?
Chin up, warrior-momma. God is the one that takes our hand in His and helps us shape our arrows. He is our ever-present help as we raise our amazing arrows for a beautiful launch. Trust Him to help shape the gifts He has given us.
“God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. ”
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
“Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.”
Dear God, thank you for all the arrows in my hand. Thank you that you have made me a a warrior, with the joy and responsibility of whittling these arrows into your image. Help me do this when I am overwhelmed by the task. Give me wisdom when I am lost. Show my family the values and virtues you have for us. Thank you that you always lead and guide. Amen.