A Quiver Full (minus one)


 

450px-Fullquiverofarrows

Wasn’t going to post today but I saw that Bridget’s Blog Carnival theme was “children” (be sure to check out the other great posts there) and I started to muse. So, here it is raw and free flowing…

Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  - Psalm 127:3

I have seven wonderful children, my quiver is full, packed you might say. 21 years becky-isaac 2010a of fatherhood has morphed me into a better human being and for that, I am thankful. At times that quiver seems so heavy, almost too much to bear. There have been times in my life when I wonder at the wisdom of God in making me the father of these children.

dan 2010 copyHowever, there continues to be many what I like to call “bull’s-eye” moments, one took place on this past Sunday. Soon my quiver will be one shy of full. Joshua, my oldest, is leaving for college in Indiana this Friday (August 27). Josh wants (actually, is called) to be a film maker and will continue his studies at Huntington University. His leaving signifies that his great adventure begins in full-throttled mode. But, I’m rambling now…

So, back to Sunday…mike-me 2010 copy

Josh and I went to the Hudson River to spend a few hours alone together, just to talk about future stuff and share hearts. I didn’t really have a “going away speech” about dos and don’ts…although I hinted at one. I really just wanted to be with my son. Josh and I are tight, friends even and I was looking forward to this time all week. I told him how proud I was of him and as I was talking I realized  that I must ask him a tough question.

“Josh…is there anything I need to ask forgiveness for. Something that has hurt you or make you think I wasn’t for you?”

matt 2010 copyMy question took him by surprise and he paused for a bit…then he said. sarah - horse 2010 copy


Dad, you are the most amazing man I know. I don’t need to forgive you; I need to be more like you. I wish I was half the man you are.”

I replied quickly (before I lost it)

“Josh, my desire is that you become twice the man I am…and with the Father’s help, I know you will.”

josh 2010 copy With that…I apostello-ed my son…
I released an arrow.

(4) “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.”

(5) “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”  - KJV

(4) “Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth.”

(5) “Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.”  - The Message Bible

When I read this I have this thought run trough my head over after over—arrows are not truly arrows unless they are shot—unless they are released. They can’t stay in the quiver.

The Hebrew word for mighty man is gibbor (ghip-pore) and means warrior. However, another meaning for gibbor is a word I love; it’s the word champion. A champion is one who is a defender or supporter of a cause or another person. That means you and me!

We are champion arrow releasers, empting our quivers and letting them fly! If there are any bow hunters reading this, you know what it means to string one up and letting it rip. You have to aim of course, adjusting for wind, distance and obstacles in the way, all to hit the intended target. We are champions for our children and we will release them someday, one-way or another. The deeper our relationship with God the more precise our aim will be. Let’s send out them with purpose, power and encouragement.

When the archer misses the mark, he turns and looks for the fault within himself. Failure to hit the bull's eye is never the fault of the target. To improve your aim -- improve yourself. - Gilbert Arland

Father help our aim to be true…Amen

Blessings,
Jay
beckybeach 2

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Comments

jasonS said…
Another beautiful, emotional post, Jay. I've been praying for our church, asking God to "give us sons" and last week I was praying Psalm 127 and proclaiming the day when we would shoot out the arrows. I also have my own 2 boys and one daughter that I have committed to God to build their house and I love them so much.

Thank you for sharing your journey. It is helping me in so many ways! You are appreciated, Jay.
Jay Cookingham said…
Keep on praying bro...that's the heart of God for sure. When I read your comment I thought of this Scripture.

Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons
come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. Isaiah 60:4

Be blessed dude and thanks for the encouragement!
jasonS said…
That's another scripture I've been praying. Thank you for the encouragement!
Bill (cycleguy) said…
Jay: awesome post and what an awesome testimony from your son about you and your wife's investment in his life. How I wish I could say that about my own father. But I digress. Thanks for this testimony. The Bible says that a women is blessed where her children rise up and call her "blessed." If I may overstep the Scripture somewhat...I think it is also true when they can do that for their father. Praying you will see the fruit with the rest of the arrows.
Jay Cookingham said…
Bill, I didn't hear those kind of things from my father either...that is one reason for
my passion to do this fathering thing right. Thanks bro' I appreciate it and you!
Duane Scott said…
I want to hang out with your kids.. they look like fun. :)
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Duane...you would like them, they're great and they love Cheetos!
Glynn Young said…
Great post, Jay -- and what a great family.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Bro'...I think so too! About the family that is!
April said…
Beautiful post! It has to be such a wonderful blessing to hear your son want to be more like you. Oh that my son will want to be more like me or whatever Godly man God sends into our lives.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks April, it was a blessing...Josh is a fine young man...thanks to God! Keep trusting the Father, He loves you and your son.
Louiseg88 said…
What a fabulous story. Thank you for participating today -- I'm so pleased and grateful for your contribution. Louise
Beautiful, inspiring, uplifting. Thank you, Jay!
Blessings to all of you!
Jay Cookingham said…
Bless you also Mari-Anna...YIPEE!
SandraHeskaKing said…
This is a wow! What a beautiful quiver.

And I love that last thought--that to improve our aim, we need to improve ourselves.
Anne Lang Bundy said…
I released an arrow ...

I thank the Lord for what He's shown me in your words today, Jay. And I thank you.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Anne...bless you and your family!
Jay Cookingham said…
I appreciate your kind words Sandra, thanks and God bless!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner. It is nice to meet you. (shake hands)

This is wonderful good and so full of fatherly insight, both His and yours. These images of your arrows are awesome too.

Blessings.
This made me all teary-eyed. Maybe it's that my oldest is going away this year too...to Kindergarten. So the idea of sending him off to another state takes my breath away. And your question, I wish my dad and I would have had that type of relationship when I was in college. The fact that you were able to ask him that question, thought about asking it, shows that you are a dad who cares and would have taken care of anything when it happened, instead of needing to deal with it at that point of separation. I was going to use this verse in my post...but I'd say you have a fuller quiver than I do and I have some things I can learn from you. Thanks for stopping by my site!
Jay Cookingham said…
Melissa, first of all, thank you for your kind words...I am humbled by them. I came from a broken home...so, it's all to God's glory that I can be the dad I need to be. Without Him...it's impossible. The time between kindergarten and their journey away from home is very quick so take advantage to love on those kids every chance you get!

Moms have a great job to love and guide their kids and I know it's hard to let go...thankfully, God is there!
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks for moseying down this way and commenting! I appreciate your kindness expressed through your words...God Bless!
Jennifer@GDWJ said…
Sigh ....

I'm having a hard time letting the arrows fly. My youngest is headed out the door in the morning to kindergarten.

I needed to read this, Jay. Thank you, truly.
Jay Cookingham said…
Jennifer...we home school so going off to kindergarten (and the years after) were easier on my wife and I. The times fly and soon they are off on their adventures, so make every moment count!
JoAnne said…
You are a true definition of a good father Jay. I always love reading your posts, uplifting and encouraging about how important family is our lives. I try not to dwell anymore on what I missed out on in my childhood, but applaud those who are bringing up their kids the way I would have liked to have been raised. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a kind comment on my blog.
Jay Cookingham said…
JoAnne...that is very kind of you to say! I'm trying to be a good dad...there are days when that doesn't seem to work. Thankfully our Father loves us all and is there to help us overcome even ourselves. Bless you!
Joyce said…
This was beautifully said...blessings to your son as he begins this new adventure. I have really enjoyed the college years with my girls...they are such interesting people at this age. I think at this stage of parenting we get to see some of what we as parents have sown bloom in a big way.
Jay Cookingham said…
I'll have three kids in college this year (two locally) so my wife and I feel like scholars ourselves! Thanks for the insightful comments and bless you and your family!
bridgetchumbley said…
What an awesome father/son moment. Thanks so much for sharing it with us, Jay.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Bridget...it was an keeper that's for sure!

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