Building a tree house was one of the most challenging yet fulfilling endeavors I accomplished with my father.
He had a house in the province that had a huge backyard. Right in the middle of the yard was a massive tree that was shouting to have a tree house on top of it. I asked my dad if he was up to it. He agreed and without wasting any time, we got the materials that were suitable for the project.
Now it wasn’t a sophisticated piece of work but it was work indeed. Aside from the effort and time we poured in, we needed to have the appropriate materials to build our “mansion” in the sky.
As in any building, structure and undertaking, it is important to have the right raw materials. In building a family, there are “raw materials” we need to fashion in the lives of our children.
The Bible says in Psalm 127:1 that “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”
First and foremost, God is the Builder of any household. We cannot hallucinate and think we are the master builders.
Furthermore, in verses 3 and 4, the psalmist says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.”
This verse compares children to arrows that we can fashion. Arrows were made not to merely stay in the quiver. They were made to be released. But while they are with us, here are a few things we can build in them.
A – ttentiveness
R – elationship
R – esponsibility
O – bedience
W – isdom
In the next few weekends, I will expound on each “raw material.”
But before I talk about the arrows, I want to make one important statement:
“Arrows can only be successfully launched if the bows are reliable.”
As parents, we need the grace of God to prepare and equip us to raise the next generation of world changers. And it starts with a relationship with the Master Builder, God. Any progress or gain will never have a lasting impact apart from God’s involvement, intervention and influence through His Word.
The only way we can fulfill all that God has designed for us as parents is if we allow Him to fashion us and equip us by His Word.
You’ll be surprised how the principles from this antiquated book are still so relevant to 21st century parenting.
Till next weekend’s post.
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