At my first high school prom a guy named David walked up to our table, looked right at my boyfriend (his name was Jared and y’all he was SO CUTE) and said, “hey, I’m the guy that asked your girl to prom.” We all sat kind of stunned waiting for Jared to reply. Jared reached out to shake his hand and said “I don’t know if you are brave or stupid.” We all laughed a bit nervously and David walked away.
Recently someone told me I was “brave” in response to hearing that we have so many kids. I repeated what Jared said that night, “I don’t know if I’m brave or stupid.” And immediately I regretted saying it. Where did that come from? Those aren’t my words! I would never say that out loud!
It startled me and made me check myself. Is this what I truly thought? Was I deceived into thinking that this family God has given me was burdensome and even “stupid”?
I wonder, friend, what thoughts we have that sometimes slip into our hearts and come out in our conversations. What lies have we bought into and repeated to ourselves until they flow freely from our lips? What influences in my life could lead me to hiding a fear in my heart that raising such a large number of children could be stupid? I wonder, friend, whose words are those?
They definitely aren’t God’s words. Because God says that children are like arrows in the bow of a warrior. Psalm 127:4 “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.” A warrior. A warrior is brave. A warrior is strong. A warrior needs armor.
I’m double checking my armor. Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” I am putting on that helmet of salvation. The one that guards my thoughts and focuses my eyes on the task set before me.
Whether you have no children, two children, or a whole gaggle like us you are a warrior too. Check your heart for lies from the enemy and replace them with the truth of God’s word.
And as always, be brave, my friend.
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