Becoming a bow

Parents, how many of you want the best for your children? That’s an easy question for most, possibly answered with a short three letter word. Scriptures’ direction for parents are numerous and written with reference to arrows but with emphasis on us being better first. Better in our relation with our Heavenly Father and our neighbors/people alike.

I am no archer but I have shot a few arrows mostly in a range setting. Grabbing the bow and arrow felt awkward for me at first possibly because I am left handed but more so due to lack of understanding. Compound bows, recurved bows, long bows and crossbows. In my thinking of bows and what they can do the crossbows and compound bows appear to shot the arrow the furthest. I attribute this speed and distance it shoots its arrows, in relation to the range of skills a parent might need to help a child cover the greatest distance with speed and accuracy. As parents, we sometimes have to add to our knowledge if we want to engage in some passions our children present. Being thankful for a child’s gift is easily praise worthy for most but as they moves through to higher levels our knowledge sometimes need to be expanded to keep engagement high. Council and selected advisors appear to be essential when going to battle especially the unknown. The arrow must be prepared, able to stand as an agent with all the foundational principles and values that forge the unshakable character that’s necessary.

When a child prefers to be a bit more cautious possibly timid, we know to not let them stray to far from us. In addition if the child is daring before having mastered self control. I equate a long bow as the more appropriate type of parenting style. Quick draw to shoot but more likely for shorter distances. Pointing our children to new skills and attributes that can be developed and implemented quickly for practice. Easily within our sites for support and correction when needed. This does not mean the child is any less capable, it just means they may still need the parent for some executive functioning skills, distractibility from mission by the wind along with possible hands-on type resources. The recurve bow may be the next step up from the long bow when slightly larger goals are in sight but more polish still would be beneficial before full agency.

Knowing which bow you are currently and strengthen yourself as the bow is essential. Both parents unified in their efforts will be better equipped to know which bow is best as compared to the additional challenge with division. There is only so much we can do as parent and it’s just as important to know when additional support is necessary. Our circle needs to be tight in their understanding of the role each plays in a child’s life compared to another. Making sure to extend our tolerances for each other as they bring their unique individual gifts and talents.

As the word notes love is the greatest.

It’s difficult to know exactly where our children will be in the future but there is hope; it allows us to dream good dreams for our children until they receive the vision we can support. One thing worth noting that for most, the gifts that a child hold appears first to parents even before the child recognizes it and we are tasked with nurturing and developing them whether it’s many or just one. How far can we bend our bow’s appears to be an important piece in preparation for purpose, both us and them.

Kidstrive to fly like arrows