Parenthood is a lifelong challenge... but one well worth it, especially, when our arrows will go places and reach people we could never reach. Arrows are designed to be shot... and to be shot at a distance. May ours eventually go and do, in Jesus' name and for His glory, what and where we couldn't (Psalm 127).
A Chapel Family Dedication
Shaping Arrows — A Lifelong Investment
When sharing about arrows and the stewardship of shaping them, I like to give the parents a rough-cut arrow, one with all the knots still in it, to illustrate the time, patience, and process it takes to remove those knots so the shaft would fly straight.
My sweet bride was gracious enough to make them out of felt to illustrate how we are to handle them with both toughness and tenderness. Why? All children have foolishness within them...but they're also very fragile and must be led and shaped insightfuy and intentionally. And we all need help with this stewardship.
When shaping a polished shaft they would use heat, leather and cool water to work the knots out and remove the imperfections. Some arrows are straighter than others... and that's the ones a warrior would set apart for the most important shots (Isaiah 49:2).
Support, of some kind, is what everyone needs. But relentless and uncompromising support, from family, is what everyone truly wants. Not all have it... especially in this fallen world. But if you do, you are richly blessed.
I loved watching our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents surround their arrows this weekend at the Chapel. We had five families and nine arrows dedicated Sunday. They, without hesitation, committed to purposely and intentionally love, lead, and pr |
