Quiver's Blessing

Last weekend was our church's annual all-church camp out.  Ron helped with some of the preparations, but we didn't go until Sunday morning.  Enjoying hot pancakes and a lovely sunny morning of worship - it was a glorious day. 

Our church is predominately younger families.  I chuckle to myself, looking around, wondering what the kid-to-adult ratio actually is.  Little ones digging in the sand pit - the older pre-teen and teens are making river rafts in the creek surrounding the camp site.  Constant motion!  Several families are related in some way or another - brothers marrying sisters, for example - which means "double cousins"! (Reminds me of my Grandmother who married her sister's husband's brother - but, that's another story for another time)

It was fun to visit and get to know some of the moms a little more.  I marveled how they managed camping with little ones.  Was it really so long ago when I was a mom camping with my own little ones?  Sometimes it feels like it was just a dream.  I almost couldn't relate to these gals - not sure how I feel about that.

Today, sitting at my computer, the windows and doors are open.  Three little siblings, aged about 8 to 4, are laughing in their games and riding bikes.  Their voices echo in the streets.  It used to my children's voices echoing out side.

An article came through my email this morning from Focus on the Family - What's Your Opinion of Childless Restaurants?  It's a good article to take pause and consider what our intentions are when we are given children to nurture.  My reaction was picturing the image of a child, a leash around her neck, waiting outside the restaurant while Mommy and Daddy finished their meal inside.  Honestly...I could be over-reacting...but...

I'm posting Psalm 127 in its entirety - it is one of our favorite reminders:

Unless the LORD builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved [even in his] sleep.

 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.


Blessed is the man 
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.