Arrows That Fly

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So – I picked this up and am listening to in preparation of (Lord willing) our first grandbaby being born in the near future. I never imagined I would become a Grandma in my 40’s!

Becoming Grandma by Leslie Stahl

The past year has had it’s ups and downs, as most years in life do.

I was reminded the other week of a verse in the Bible: Psalm 127:5 It was an interview of a woman whose quiver was full with 3 children and she reminded me that part of having those children is the releasing of those children. Letting the arrow fly.

This article sums up what I am getting at:

“Some parents lack intentionality in their parenting. In other words, their quiver is full of rough, crooked, and dull arrows—and they don’t even realize it. They don’t see the importance of preparing children for the future. They just assume that when they release the arrow, wherever the wind takes it will be okay.

Other parents are very intentional in their parenting, but they forget that arrows aren’t meant to stay in the quiver. In fact, it’s often the parents who take great care in raising their children who have the hardest time releasing them from the quiver into adulthood. After all the time and care they put into raising them, blinded by well-meaning fear, they keep their adult “kids” close and safely hidden in the quiver.

Both ends of the extreme miss the point.

Children, like arrows, are meant to be handcrafted and eventually released. If they’re not crafted well, they won’t shoot straight. And if they aren’t released, they’ll never hit their target.”

I try to be intentional in all my relationships, because, after all, that is the heart of this life.

So last year when Caleb​ left home in what was his senior year, married, and expecting their first child – it’s been challenging. As parents, grandparents, and siblings we have had to “let go” before we were ready in a hard way for us.  Did I do something wrong as a parent, do I need to change course?  As a home schooler, did I fail?  My first “attempt” doesn’t even care about finishing what was worked so hard on – ouch!

This quote brings comfort, “your child’s actions/choices are NOT a parent report card.”

Yet, as challenging as it has been, I am reminded of several things. I have not followed the “normal” path in life so why I am surprised that it should be different for our first born? (Moved to AK when I was 18, married and had children young, started home business, had more children, home schooled our children, more children …well you get my point!)

So as I look at the clock ticking, and the days marching on, I wait wondering what this next chapter will bring.

There are broken and hurt relationships in the middle of this messy life,  but at the end of the day – faith remains with fierce joy.

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