A dark and lonely corner of his closet holds the remnant of a summer past. A new hobby. A bow and arrow set, stands quietly in the same position left there by hands that can no longer manipulate their tension and strength.

For some reason, early this past summer, Beej decided he wanted to learn archery. With borrowed equipment from camp, he practiced for hours. Repeatedly he drew back on the arrows and flung them towards their mark. It began when we welcomed our Summer Missionaries to Highland Lakes Baptist Camp.

For fun we spent part of a day contesting each other to see who could get the closest by lofting arrows high into the air towards hula hoop targets. None of us were very good. We hit buildings, pierced a trailor roof, and in general hiked all over the clearing to retrieve our mishaps.

Beej decided to continue on with this foray. After all it was a biblical pursuit. Jonathon and David (I Samuel 20) used them, Jehoash and Elisha (II Kings 13) found their spiritual significance, why not my son? Only, I don't think we ever discussed anything biblical in regards to this weaponry. Rather, he simply honed his skill. Surprisingly or not, he got pretty good. He would run in and tell me to come check out his amazing latest shots. He would recount every detail of the position of each arrow, and how it found it's current destination.

Honestly, I remember enduring those stories...yet he was so excited to share them. I remember secretly taking those same arms and attempting to ward off raccoons, and oppossum. Mind you...I did not practice. I was not a good shot. I even studied my son a time or two and tried to learn his technique. It helped. It always helps to study the technique of someone more accomplished than you.

I realize my endeavors into study need to be a little more "on target." I promise you, I am trying. I have stopped some of the old habits. I am trying to read more in the Word, study more of its meaning, and supplement with more reading of books that point to Christ. It is truly amazing how much time you have when you stop old, bad habits.

I suppose I should pull that arsenal out of the closet, and return it to camp. There is just something about not moving things he placed, that embraces me. Perhaps the time is here when I need to take the 'placed things' in my heart, and move them to the surface where they will be useful to my Savior...or at least available for His purposes.

dad