Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Arrows in the Hand of a Mighty Warrior


Frequently, in our modern culture, children are viewed as nothing more than a liability.  They cost us money, ruin our things and break our hearts.  One or two children may be acceptable (when you only have a few, you can buy their "happiness", or at least their silence) but any more than that and you are clearly tipping the scales toward disaster.

We think our culture is wrong.  In fact, the bible says "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalms 127:4-5.  Did you read that last part?  "They shall speak with the enemies in the gate".  It seems that the bible indicates that our children are one of our greatest blessings -weapons, in fact.

Being survivalists, we often spend a lot of time and energy gathering supplies, skills and other vital necessities.  When it comes to storing food and medical supplies (along with defensive measures) we are always calculating based on the number of mouths to feed and people to protect.  That can get overwhelming, especially when you have a large family for which to provide.  But along the way, we have learned something.  These children, these extra mouths, are our greatest asset.  They are a ready made, cohesive "unit".

Over the years, we have noticed that each of our children seemed to develop different strengths.  Maid Elizabeth is medically inclined and we encouraged her as she sought to expand her knowledge base.  She is now our "Medical Officer".  She is in charge of maintaining our medical supplies and equipment (both for illness and trauma), alerting us to any additional equipment that is required and increasing her skill level and medical knowledge.  Not only does she stay current on modern medical practices, she also studies herbal and other unconventional medical interventions.  We need her.

Master Hand Grenade is not the least bit medically inclined.  He, however, has other skills.  Hand Grenade is very mechanical and meticulous in his record keeping.  He is in charge of our "fleet".  He keeps a three-ring binder full of maintenance records for each piece of equipment (including vehicles) in our fleet.  Every generator, 4-wheeler, motorcycle and truck have their own sheet.  He keeps track of model numbers, hours, mileage and any work done or needed to be done.  He writes down oil changes, tire changes, lubricants and problems.  He writes down what he did, what he needs to do and any parts that were required.  Not to put too fine a point on it - but he keeps our "rolling stock" rolling.  Essentially, Master Hand Grenade keeps us running.

Miss Serenity is a natural born hunter.  She is willing to be outside in -20° weather at the break of dawn, just to shoot a deer.  She is tenacious.  She will go out day after day after day, until she succeeds.  And, as we all know, an army moves on its stomach, not to mention, you never know when keen stalking skills will come in handy!

Although very young, Princess Dragon Snack and Master Calvin are both very handy.  Princess Dragon Snack can already peel potatoes enough to feed a small army and Master Calvin is quite competent when it comes to pulling the handle on the progressive reloading machine!  As of yet, we don't really know what valuable skills they will bring to our "unit", we just know they will be indispensable.

We consider ourselves to be blessed beyond measure.  Our quiver is full of arrows.  They are sharp - they are ready.  These children are arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior.

13 comments:

  1. You are indeed blessed as well as your children to have the closeness that a family should have. We all could learn from you and we do!

    I wanted to ask a favor, though it's off the subject. You had a posting on Dec.16th that was titled, "Mothering Up", and I'm wondering if you would be willing to share with me and possibly anyone else who has interest as well, what is the name of that print and artist of that picture and do you have any idea where someone could find a print? Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you Enola as always for being an inspiration to the world! God Bless you and your family.

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    1. I would love to share the artist and name of that print - if I could find it! I found that painting by typing "warrior mother" into google. I came up with the picture, but I can't read the artists name at the bottom, and I have been unable to locate any more information. If I come up with anything I will let you know. It is beautiful, isn't it?
      Enola

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  2. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)

    If you dont mind me throwing my two cents in worth. Master Hand Grenade's moniker could be "Logistics Officer"
    That kid sounds like he could keep your squad runnin and the coffee flowin, he's worth his wieght in gold.

    As per Miss Serenty, I think "Scout Sniper" or 'Serenity the Sniper" No deer is safe within 800 yards"

    Master Calvin, that kid sounds like a future mechanic/technician. If he can pull a reloader hangle, then when things get bad. Give him a Pick-Ax handle and turn him lose on some bad guys, like the the Clint Eastwood in "Pale Horse Rider" when he beat those five bad guys up with one pick-ax handle. "Nothin like a good piece of Hickory"

    As per your youngest. Camp cook for now, my guess she will follow one of her older siblings and be a success at whatever she does.

    Enola, you and Sir Knight got it made....Most of my freinds have kids that are good at videogames, cellphones, and facebook. When I was a kid, we made forts out of refrigerator boxes, We shot each other with Daisy Rider BB guns, We road our bikes miles and miles away from our houses. We would stay out all day long with 35 cents to our name. Our parents did not care as long as we came home at dark (I think they were glad we were gone) No Helicopter Parents in my time.

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    1. Sounds kinda like my parents-my Dad used to show me how to do stuff-from patching bicycle tires to setting spark plug gaps(I suspect most times because he got tired of doing it). I lived on a bicycle after school, on weekends and during summer. If I was going to be back after dark, that was OK if I called (spontaneous campouts happen..which meant a tent in someone's yard, sometimes ours, with an extension cord to a B/W TV watching old goofy late night monster movies). My Dad died when I was 14, and a lot of the stuff he showed me how to do-a very long list-came in handy. In looking back, I think he knew his time was limited(heart condition, mid 1970s,needed-transplant-bad), and wanted to get as much across as he could in the time he had. I consider myself blessed to have the parents I did.
      I did a lot of stupid and dangerous stuff as a child/teenager/adult (less of it now), but it's one of the ways you learn(things like "that ignites easily", "capacitors hold a charge for a long time", "it took longer to stop than I thought it would"-that sort of thing). Relatives used to freak that my parents would let me do "adult" things as a child (like change a light fixture or switch, backflush the radiator, or some such)-my Dad's response was "I showed him how".No helicopter parents-more like flight control. Enola and crew, sounds like you got something going on that works.

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  3. Children are not dolls or pets. They are people and are happiest when, just like older people, they are busy and useful. It can be very eye-opening and surprising to see what they can do when just given proper training and then given a chance to work.

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  4. Well good. You have yourself a mini army with which to play. How fun.What a waste of a life if you dont get your wishes and we all survive just fine. Have you ever thought about that?!!

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    1. Oh, I certainly don't wish for things to go poorly - heaven forbid! I do, however, desire my children to be accomplished and useful. I want them to be a part of our nations solution, never part of the problem. Don't all loving parents want that for their children?

      Enola

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    2. Enola, that was such a gracious answer. Thank you for the example.

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    3. It's not a "WASTE" at all Anonymous (from Jan. 9). The skills these kids already possess are incredible. That's valuable in and of itself, regardless of whatever happens, and more of things go wrong. I've grown up in an urban environment and I wish I had just half the skills these young people have. Society went the way of interdependence but in a twisted way, in that people aren't connected to EACH OTHER anymore. Every man for himself. It's savage and we are all being forced into it. Example: if the truckers don't roll, WE DON'T HAVE FOOD and CAN'T GET IT. (yes, I'm shouting) Think about it. Your ver life is totally dependent on people you don't have knowledge of, much less know personally. This family, on the other hand, is working together and can survive many more calamities than the average bear. If there was any way for our family to do what they're doing, I would do it in a heartbeat...and no looking back. I think you should lay off.

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  5. I haven't thought of it that way before - arrows are not just a mark of status or a possession, but they are weapons intended for battle.
    In battle, things can happen - not to be insensitive or harsh, are you ready if one of them (or your husband) were to fall in battle?
    Is someone else trained as a second/ understudy in each person's area of expertise?
    A little food for thought ...

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  6. Children are extremely valuable, that's why the statist wants them so bad. They always go after our children with aggressiveness. The american mass culture has been brainwashed into neglecting their children to chase after career and prideful things, when the children are their true wealth. I only have one child, but greatly wish I had more.

    Very nice post as with all your posts.

    Be well, Shaolin

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  7. I am Mother to seven children and, so far, an even dozen grandchildren. Including brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, we are a community. Not a community of strangers, unknowns, possible liabilities. We are a community of loved ones with responsibilities and accountability to each other. Nobody will be left out in the cold. Nobody will have to battle alone. Everyone will have somebody to celebrate with. Everybody will have somebody to guide their steps when they are old.

    As we,the generation that taught the lessons ages out, we can only pray that the young pass on the lessons to the next. If they don't, that's our fault.

    What do you consider a fight, a battle? Is it only something that requires having a sword or a gun in your hand? Or does it include your way of life? Does it include your freedoms? Does it include your rights? My ancestors fought actual blood and guts battles to insure those rights and freedoms. They taught their children to do the same. Would anyone consider it shameful, these generations later, to teach those same lessons to our children?

    I teach my children to live a moral life. I teach them to live those rights and freedoms their ancestors fought for. I teach them to demand those freedoms and rights not be eroded. I teach them to vote, to attend city council meetings, to commerce with their representatives. I teach them to campaign for representatives, or be one. These are their weapons. And yes, if all else fails, and evil and tyrants threaten their way of life, I taught them to pick up a sword.

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  8. Enola - Thank you for this post. You've once again raised my spirit just as I began to despair that we may be losing our way. Dark clouds are indeed gathering, but you remind me that there is much good, much strength and very much worth fighting for. It is the goodness and power in our every day citizens and their families, yours and mine, who will provide a sturdy barrier against the darkness. Sometimes I forget that. Thanks for the reminder.

    I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
    Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
    But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.
    Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!

    -Dr. Seuss

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