Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
(Psalm 127:4–5, ESV)
Hanging on the wall beside my desk in my new office here at DTS is a reminder of a most memorable Christmas. In fact it was just this last Christmas. From my two sons, their wives, and my five grandchildren I was given a progressive Christmas gift. First came a plaque with the words from Psalm 127:4–5. The next present was a beautiful brown leather quiver. And then, one by one, beginning with my oldest son down to the youngest of our five grandchildren, each one brought an arrow and presented it to me as an individual expression of their love. My wife, Barby, sitting beside me, was in tears. And I was at a virtual loss for words and overwhelmed by such a magnanimous gesture. My family means so much to me, and their thoughtfulness was and is such a gift.
Someone has said that children are arrows we parents get to shoot into a season we ourselves may not live to see. They will be arrows of reflective character, and by God’s grace, representatives for the communication of the gospel to their generation. I am a man blessed with a quiver full of nine arrows from two generations. I must add however, with a grin on her face, Callie, our youngest daughter-in-law, informed me that she and Jeremy bought a few extra arrows they are keeping in the box because they plan to have a couple more children in the not-too-distant future!
What great gifts God has given my wife and me. We are truly blessed of the Lord. My prayer is that you and I, as children of God, may be used as His arrows of influence in our generation and thus be a full quiver of blessing to Him—our heavenly Father.