Aim for Her Life

**Important Note** To those who read this who have sons, please understand I wish not to exclude sons from this topic. Their upbringing by both parents is equally of value. However, my charge from God is to women and daughters. It is not my intention or desire to present information I have no knowledge of since I am the mother of only girls. Any information that goes forth in my blogs are from personal experience and guidance from God. I hope this is clearly understood and no negative feelings are taken from the mention of only daughters and mothers. Blessings!  J

So, I’m a huge Hunger Games fan.  Am I the only one? I’m sure I’m not! I’ve watched all but the last movie. From the time I watched the first movie, I was hooked.  My favorite character of course, is Katniss Everdeen.  Not only are her skills amazing, but her will to live and sacrifice for others are admirable. She becomes a skilled bow & arrow shooter who is selected (well forced) to participate in representing her people of District 12 in a violent game of survival. With every draw of her bow, the weight of her people rests on her shoulders. The weight of potential victory so her district can receive vital necessities such as food and fresh water. The future of her people depends on her. Sounds familiar? Maybe not. Allow me to explain.

Okay mothers, this is where I need your imaginations activated. Now, go with me here…so imagine the weight Katniss has on her shoulders for her generation.  Now imagine our families…our daughters specifically.  The weight we’re given by God to carry to ensure our daughters grow up to be the women He designed them to be.  Now we don’t have tangible arrows to shoot.  But we have our engagement.  Our guidance. Our thoughts. Our words. Our actions. We have those unseen arrows that can do just as much damage as the real ones. Just as Katniss had a humble heart, she understood the implications of withholding from shooting an arrow. She understood that she wasn’t in that game just for herself, but for her District.  For people who relied on her drive, determination, and courage to get through.

Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) No discipline is enjoyable while it’s happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained this way.

Sometimes the arrows we shoot, correction, chastising, discipline, don’t feel good. But it’s in understanding that we aren’t just raising these girls, that makes the difference. We are raising the future. We are raising them to continue on where we leave off. I’ll be the first to say when I have to correct my fifteen year old daughter, not all the time does it feel good. I even question myself sometimes. But even in doing that, I must understand that if I don’t throw that arrow of correction or that arrow of discipline, she will grow up a wild weed being blown and tossed by the wind. She will grow up validating who she is in relationships, habits, addictions, status, etc.

Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

Not every arrow shot did Katniss hit her target and I know not every arrow we shoot will hit their intended target either, but it’s in not quitting or giving up that makes the difference. It’s in our daughters seeing our determination to continue forward that sends an unspoken message to them. Mothers, we are given the charge to ensure our daughters grow up knowing they are princesses in the eyes of God. We are given the charge to safeguard the innocence of our daughters in the manner of appearance, relationships, integrity, worth, etc. If we choose to neglect those charges, then we leave it up to the world to shoot arrows into their lives.

So mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, or any woman of influence…get those bows in hand, charge that arrow, breathe, and shoot! Blessings!!

What’s some of the painful lessons (arrows) you’ve had to shoot in your daughter’s life that she later appreciated?