Psalm 127:3-4 “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.”
I heard this Psalm on the radio the other day and it made me sit up and pay attention to the words. I thought about them for a long time afterward. So much so, that it prompted me to write about them.

As I sat there, thinking about the words and reflecting on the message, I thought about a scene from one of my favorite movies, A Knight’s Tale.

If you’re unfamiliar with the film, allow me to provide a synopsis; William (played by the late Heath Ledger) is a poor squire for a knight who dies before a jousting competition. Knowing he and his fellow hands won’t get paid (or be able to eat) if the knight doesn’t joust, William anonymously takes the knight’s place. It was supposed to be a one time thing, but he decides to pose as a knight and compete in competitions, earning quite a name for himself.

During the competitions, he attracts the attention of a rival, Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell) as well as the eye of a love interest, Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossaman). Adhemar and William do not like one another and, of course, end up courting the same woman.

At one point in the movie, William and his rival are standing beside one another discussing William’s success in competition and in love, when Adhemar reveals to William that he’s entered negotiations with Jocelyn’s father for her hand in marriage.

During the exchange William comments “you speak of Jocelyn as if she is a target.” To which Adhemar responds, “isn’t she?” William answers, “No. She is the arrow.”

That exchange is one of my favorites in the entire movie and I always think William’s response is so romantic (#RelationshipGoals).

But, after hearing the words of Psalm 127, that scene weighed in my mind for a while and it got me thinking.

If you’ve been following this blog for a bit, you know that I just became a mom for the first time; something I really wanted badly and struggled to achieve. I do not take my new role lightly.

I am an analyzer by nature. I research and read and analyze and then make decisions. Bringing a life into this world was not something I chose on a whim. I am fully aware of the tremendous responsibility I have taken on and strive daily to do the best job I can.

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” 

As I go through the coming years raising my son, I know that I have an incredible opportunity to help make this world a better place by raising a good person. Someone who is kind, compassionate, empathetic.

So, I’ve decided that I will not raise a target; I’m raising an arrow. I will hold him in my quiver and teach him the things he needs to know so that when it comes time to “nock” him in the bow of life, “draw” him back and set him “loose” in the world, he will fly a steady course and hit his target, whatever that may be for him.

With a lot of hard work, and some luck along with the grace of God, I know it’ll be a bullseye.