What's Your Target

I have some friends who are having difficulty "letting go". The problem is, they doesn't realize it. They'll see it in other parents, but they doesn't see it in themselves. How does one minister in a situation like that?

My Knight and I have always tried to "look or plan ahead." Since our children were little, we talked about everything. How important modesty was, about abstinence. How God created Eve, a helpmate for Adam. We talked about the importance of marriage, family and helping out. We talked about character and work ethics. This and much more were talked about throughout their years growing up. It was always geared at their level of understanding. The end goal was to help them grow to be men and women of God. It has not been easy, remember this is satan's playground. But with God all things are possible. We do not have perfect children, but then again none of us are perfect. There is only one that is perfect and that is God. But He is showers us with grace and mercy. How awesome is that?!!!

This morning, this is the devotion that was waiting for me. Isn't it just like God to do things like this. :o) I thought I'd share it with you. It's mainly geared for parents who are still rearing children. Which all of you know that we still have two younger ones. :o) But it might minister to someone with older children too. Please join me in praying for all the parents that are having trouble letting go.

What's Your Target
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.
-Psalm 127:4

A few years ago my oldest son, Benjamin, and I got into archery. Never fear, the deer in the woods are safe. There is no chance of us hurting anything, I promise you. When we started, we were so bad that we missed the entire bale of hay.

As I've learned more about archery, I've discovered there is much more to this sport than meets the eye. And in the process I've gained insight into Psalm 127:4, which describes children as "arrows." For example, did you know that even the best manufacturer cannot make a perfectly straight arrow? You can pay more than $15 apiece for arrows, and even they aren't perfect. In the same way, no parent can produce a perfect child. It's impossible.

Also, there are many factors that can influence an arrow after you release it-wind, trees, rain. But do these factors keep me from releasing the arrow? No, because arrows are not meant to stay in the quiver.

As we raise our children with the goal of releasing them into the world to live independently, we see the pressures and influence of a culture that is increasingly turning away from God. But children were given to us to be released.

And what is our target? Where are we aiming our children? Toward a lifetime of walking with God. No matter what factors try to influence them, they will be fine as long as we point them to the right target.

Many parents, however, have never considered where they are aiming their children. We did some research and found that more than 90 percent of parents said they had plans for raising their children, but were unable to clearly explain them. They didn't have the plans written down.

It was baseball great Yogi Berra who quipped, "If you don't know where you're going, you'll get there every time." Does that describe you as a parent?


Ask God to clarify your target and grant your children favor as you release them toward it.

Discuss: What are your goals as a parent? At what target are you aiming your children?