The Origins & Intent of His Arrowsmith

First of all, who am I?

The first thing that comes to mind when I consider this question is “nobody”. Now, I don’t mean that in the self-defeating sense, but if you have ever used the adjective ‘just’ in front of your title (mom’s, I’m talking to you!) then you understand what I mean. But here’s the thing - it was the nobody’s that Jesus used most. So, when I say that I’m just a nobody, I mean that I am a humble follower of Christ. My desire is to be available to His call in whatever I am doing. And parents, your job is not a ‘just’, it is everything.

When some dear friends of mine told me their child had decided to walk away from his Christian faith, my heart broke. And on the heels of the breaking, I realized my own children would soon be walking into the same culture that had deceived their child. In these moments I frantically began searching out resources to help forge a foundation for my children that would never crumble to the weight of the world’s influence. As I did so, terrifying statistics began jumping out at me. This generation of youth is leaving the church in droves…many never to return. Why? There are many reasons. For one, they are being enticed by the momentary pleasures of this world, despite the fact that their parents were diligent, intentional, and engaged in teaching them God’s truth. (I truly believe God will honor these parents by bringing their children back into His fold!)

Others, however, walked away from the faith when they entered this culture from which they had been completely sheltered. They had not practiced any of the truths they had been taught because they had been protected from any opposition to their faith. They had not been trained to discern anything for themselves. They had accepted their parents’ faith, but never owned it. They had attended all the obligatory church measures, traipsed off to the Christian camps, participated in Vacation Bible School fun (all good things, btw!)… but had any of this helped them to actually own their own faith? Had it made them seek out the One Truth so that when they were hit by “your truth, my truth, his truth, her truth”, they had a solid answer on which to stand? Apparently not.

In all honesty, I don’t have all the answers. I am in this struggle with you of raising children in a broken world. But what I do have is a heart to seek out those answers. I have a heart to help others find ways to raise their children up to not just know about Jesus, but to have a relationship with Jesus. To not just raise kids who accept their parents’ faith, but kids who own their own faith. To help our children come to the realization that His truth is the truth. To prepare our children to defend their faith with solid, evidence-based reason. And finally, to know and understand that His Word is our ultimate authority.

Let’s dig in together! Browse through my resources. Check out the recommendations. Shoot me a message. I love connecting with other Kingdom-minded arrowsmiths! I want to be a part of your story. And I want you to be a part of mine. As iron sharpens iron, let’s sharpen each other so that we may have the courage and wisdom to sharpen our little arrows!

In the fire with you,
Toni

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”
Psalm 31:24