Why I chose ‘Arrows’ as my blog title

Hello cute people,

I am FINALLY writing my first blog! Yea! I wanted to take a minute and share why I chose ‘arrows’ as the title of my blog.

Some of you may have already heard me share this at the 2009 Shine Conference. As most of you know, our 17 yr. old son Caleb went to Heaven after a car accident on July 14, ’09. It absolutely was and still is beyond our belief.  Our hearts have a hole the size of Texas, and the pain in still very raw and real. Yet, we are basking in the unchanging love of God and depending on Him as we move forward to carry out His purposes .  Anyhow, shortly after the accident, I was roaming thru the house, as you do, and Rob was watching the movie ‘Prince Caspian’ on TV – I passed by the room at the very moment Susan, the oldest Chronicles of Narnia chick, was shooting her quiver full of arrows at the enemy who had surrounded them. She was shooting them so quickly… one right after the other… successfully contributing to the destruction of the enemy. She had been given this quiver full of arrows from Aslan in the last movie. These gifts were to be used as tools to help in times of need. So, as producers are so good at doing with cinematography, some of the arrows went flying thru the sky in slow motion. And as I saw that picture, all I could think of was that verse in Ps. 127:3-5 -” As arrows are in the hand of the Lord, so are one’s children in their youth. Happy is the man whose quiver is full of them… for because of them, your enemies don’t stand a chance against you.” My heart skipped a beat. Outraged, I literally yelled out to God, “But I have one less arrow God – my legacy -one that I just knew was going to go far, is gone now – He was such a strong leader – I hate this!!” But the sweet Holy spirit reminded me very quickly of a few things. Some thoughts that were meant to personally help heal and encourage my broken heart and others that were for those He knew I would be ministering to.

First, to my heart, He assured me that Caleb was safe in Heaven and that he wasn’t sitting around on a cloud somewhere. His earthly destiny might be over but he is continuing his eternal destiny and will ever increase in his strengths there in Heaven so that by the time I get there he will be leading in powerful ways beyond my imagination. But, He also encouraged my heart that He has given me many arrows - just not of birthright, but in our church and beyond that I have been given the opportunity to pour into… young people and others who will be targeted to destroy the enemy’s work for generations to come and will continue my legacy in a sense. Those words are forever imprinted in my heart and seriously encourage me in this journey every day, because my passion is to see this next generation go farther than ours and truly carry out His plan for their lives with purpose and victory!

But also, God spoke to my heart, that every single one of us, as His children, are His arrows. Is. 49:2-3 says- ” In the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver. You’re my dear servant, thru whom I will SHINE.” Wow! God has a specific destiny and purpose for which He created each of us – we are His kids – HIS ARROWS!! (There are several purposes for arrows which we will discuss over the coming weeks and months) But arrows are typically used for hunting & combat. To destroy an enemy. So, He, as the Creator/ Chief Archer, WILL shape and form us into the arrows He desires… and then He will position and set our course to be a part of the solution to hunt down & destroy the works of the enemy… namely every injustice that we see affecting/ devastating the precious people that God so dearly loves and died for.

Bottom line is that we are God’s arrows! And He has carefully placed us in His quiver (His hands & heart) and is strategically aiming us directly into the souls of humanity that so desperately need His love and grace. And the good news is – He will Shine thru us no matter how broken or wobbly our arrows / lives feel.

Thru this blog, my intention is to simply share my life with you. And prayerfully, you will be able to learn a little bit  from my story that will help you to become the polished and strategic arrow God uniquely crafted you to be for His honor!

Concealed in His Quiver,

Pastor Laura