You might think, “wow, raising children and prepare them for their teenage years is a big job.  Not to mention, preparing them for adulthood is another huge undertaking.”

There is one thing to remember, most everything your child needs for adolescent and adulthood is learned in their younger years.  I don’t mean like driving a car, budgeting, and dating, etc.  But most everything is learned early on in life.

A few years ago, my first son (and second born child) got into archery.  He wanted to go bow hunting whitetail deer.  I noticed the time it took to practice and get used to shooting a bow.  He learned a lot and proceeded to teach me a thing or two.

I got to liking it.  More importantly, I found something I can do to spend fun times with my son.  So, I bought me a bow and the entire equipment to bow shoot and eventually bow hunt. 

We had great times.   He’s no w in college and during hunting season we try to go together as much as possible.  Not only do we enjoy it, but our third born child and second son also has become a bow hunter.  We simply love it. 

During our practice times and even during our hunting times I noticed one thing.  When you shoot an arrow in the woods, you go through limbs, leaves, and uncomfortable small areas in order to hit your target.

When a deer is at shooting distance, your adrenaline begins to pump, you try not to breath or move so you don't spook the deer and lose your chance. 

During hunting times and even practice times you miss a lot of shots.  It can be very discouraging.  It’s sometimes disheartening.  But you can’t give up.  You've got to overcome any inabilities and improve your skills and up your game.

You might be wonder, what does this have to do with families or marriage or child rearing? 

Everything!

See, while watching my son shoot his bow, and nearly every year, I am reminded of Psalm 127:4,5 “like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children in one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!...”
 
This scripture showed me how to see my son like an arrow, sort-to-speak.  As time went on I learned some things about this sport I didn’t know existed.  There is more to this sport than meets the eye.  But there’s even more to arrows and child rearing than you’d think.
 
Here are 3 ways your child is like an arrow:
 
1.  Arrows are not perfectly straight.  Did you know that even if you pay $20.00 for an arrow, it’s still not going to be perfect?  We tried to get perfect arrows to get our perfect shots.  But there was no such thing.  The skill is developed – not bought. 


2.  Arrows are affected by its surrounding.  In other words, your stance, your site, your peep site, your release, the wind, limbs, sun, and material of the arrow all affect the final blow.  It’s a skill that requires practice in order to hit your target accurately.  It doesn’t just happen overnight.


3.  Arrows are made to do a job – not to contemplate in the quiver.    You've got to use, and sometimes break a few arrows in the process.   No need to look at the quiver full when the skill is dull. 


Here’s my point, when comparing my son to an arrow:
 
1.  No child is ever going to be perfect, but neither is the parent.  Therefore, life will never be perfect, so we might quit trying to be perfect parents while practicing our aim.  Instead, enjoy the journey. 

2.  My child, your child, and every child will forever be affected by their surroundings.  Their peers, their teachers, coaches, pastors, leaders, government, media – you name it – is going to influence my child, in both positive and negative ways.  So, is this going to stop me from “shooting my arrow” into the world?  Of course not.  Because…

3.  Arrows are not meant to stay in the quiver, they are made to be shot.  Our goal as parents is to help our children turn into shape, educationally, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally to send them into a confused and hard world to hit the right target or vision for their lives. 

Children were given to us by God to be released into the world in order to impact the world into becoming a better place.
 
As I mentioned earlier, there is more to bow shooting that meets the eye.  Needless to say, so is child rearing. 

So here are two questions to consider, when shooting your arrows (children) into the world:

1.  What are you aiming at?  Better yet, how are you aiming? 

2.  What are your goals as a parent?

To answer this question, I’ve put together a free course to help you provide vision for your children as you aim them into the world, as well as vision for your marriage which is the one doing the shooting.

Take some time to watch this video and download documents to help you navigate your family through vision for life making sure you not only have something to aim at, but also the skills to aim at it with accuracy and success.

Has one question or comment from someone ever changed your worldview - your perspective – your life?

Let’s flip the question: Has one question or comment that you’ve made changed someone’s worldview – perspective – or their life?

A relative of mine recently went for a job interview.  She told me that during the interview the manager asked her an interesting question.  Though the question caught her by surprise, she did have an answer.

Did you ever ask your dad to let you borrow some money, only to be given a dissertation as to why you don’t need the money you asked for?
 
As you take your kids on a walk, or when you get home from work, do they ask you for money or for stuff? 
 
Sure – it’s part of family life.
 
I’m going to share with you a story – whether true or not, I don’t fully know.  All I know is that this story has a great impact and makes a great point that’ll probably drive you mad – or to tears.