"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth." I picture a young warrior with arrows in his hand, ready for battle, ready and willing to move ahead because he is prepared for anything and protected by his arrows which are straight and have a painstakingly hand-made point on them.
Now I take that picture and relate it to our five sons who are standing here arguing over whose turn it is to carry the full bag of trash out of the kitchen and walk 20 feet to the larger garbage can outside. "I'm not big enough to carry that," "I did it yesterday," "you always make me do it," "why do I have to stop this game, mom, just for trash?"
Our Five Sons! These little men could not be more different. We have the oldest who loves to play with his little siblings. He'll read to them, teach them a game, help them get ready to go somewhere. But handing in homework? No, not this boy, that's too hard to remember. Worry about how that affects grades, nah, just have fun!
Then there is the next oldest guy. Charming, cerebral, excellent musical skills and yet convinced that God created the universe to orbit his body, focusing on his needs first. And even better, he is willing to remind us daily of this!
Our third oldest son loves football almost more than food. I think the list would be food, football and then oxygen. He has an amazing laugh, and always has since he was a tiny baby. But try to make this boy understand that his way is not the right way, good luck! You' ll talk until you are blue in the face and he'll still fumble down his own path and reap the whirlwind.
The next guy in line is only nine years old. He tries desperately to follow in the staggered footsteps of his older siblings. He is kind, would give you his last piece of gum or his last cookie. He'll drop everything to do a task. BUT, beat him in a game of basketball and you will see quite a different boy in front of you. You may find yourself chasing him through the park just to talk about it!
The littlest brother is a tag along at best most days. He can't keep up even when he seriously tries. But he still tries. Usually he gets stuck playing with little sisters, to whom he is closer in age. Smart as they come, this little one is. He is excelling in school, BUT he has become a sort of sponge for picking up the bad habits of the other boys at recess time.
So how do we get from this motley crew to "arrows" ready for battle? Fortunately we have a weapon that has been handed down to us by none other than God himself. That weapon is the word of God.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2Tim3:16)
There is hope in Christ! I cling to this hope for our sons. We need to be on our knees, but we also need to be opening the Word to our children and requiring them to read it, listen to it, pray it, memorize it, obey it. We need to discipline them for not heeding this precious Word, pointing continually back to God's standard for everything in life. May each boy one day utter these verses, "
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:103-105)
Lord, take this rag-tag bunch of boys and make them into men who do not waver. May they become like those straight, strong, useful "arrow." Make them into men who will follow you and your ways, even to the death if necessary. I plead with you, Lord, stuff them full of your sweet Words until those words overflow into all of their lives and the lives of all who are around them. And please Lord, make one of them want to put this trash bag into the outside can! Amen.
