I love babies. These itty bitty versions of the adults who bore them can capture my heart with a single smile. Their little fingers and toes are delightful, and it’s amazing to me that those little digits will one day grow to be the size of my own or even larger.

But far beyond the toothless smiles, the heart-warming gurgles, and the adorable gestures of an infant rests the explosive potential of a purpose-filled man or woman. These little human beings embody destinies great enough to change the course of an entire generation.

Of all the similes the psalmist could reference, he employed that of a warrior, and more specifically, an archer.

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth” (Ps. 127:4).

What does that mean? Why would a child be compared to a weapon?

An arrow is defined as “A shafted projectile that is shot with a bow.” If you’ve ever watched movies depicting medieval times warfare, you’ll notice that the archers are required to exercise keen precision and steadiness of hand as they release the arrow onto the target. Ill-released arrows will end up missing the intended target and cause unintended damage. Hence, it is the warrior’s job to steer the arrow correctly.

Now if children are like arrows in the hands of an archer, then we who are parents and guardians are the warriors in reference.

The implication here is that though each child has a specific purpose to fulfill–a target that that child must reach–he/she must first be guided in order to accomplish that which he/she has been created to do.

Therefore, time must be taken to properly instruct and groom children for their calling. When we trivialize this task and neglect the gravity of this responsibility, we release undirected children into society.

An entire generation depends on your steady hands of leading. An entire generation depends on the consistent delivery of truth to the spirit of your children.

When you worship God in their presence, they learn the value of intimacy with the Lord.

When you affirm their uniqueness and the special giftings that they possess, you reinforce their importance to the world.

You see, our constant love, instruction and affirmation are the means by which we sharpen and steer the ‘arrows’–the world changers–that God has entrusted us with; so that when we release them from our hands they will be well equipped to lay hold of their individual destinies.

Today, remember that children are our gifts, our heritage, therefore, treat them no less than the powerful individuals they are.

Do all that you can to reach them and instill in them the inimitable value they possess; an entire generation depends on it.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Psalm 127:3-4

by Kerri-Ann Haye-Donawa