What's the point of kids?

A couple of years ago Rachel and I were listening to an old college friend bemoan the experience of a family “reunion”, if you could call it that. This reunion was held in the thick of the most intense period of division I think many of us reading have experienced in our lives - over politics, covid restrictions, and racial tension. The result: a reunion that was anything but.

The distance between family members that was uncovered during this weekend was so devastating to our friend that she wondered out loud: “Why would I even have kids if we all end up being strangers to each other in 20 years?”

I have to admit - that question punched me right in the gut. But it did get me thinking…

What is the point of kids?

Do we have them so we can have cute little friends? That’s pretty compelling to me! But poop…

Do we have them so someone might take care of us when we need our diapers changed? Well, not a bad idea either… But poop… if you have a normal teen right now and that was your reason, you’re probably seriously questioning your life choices… ;)

So why do we have kids?

The Bible captures the reason in a simple, beautiful picture: kids are like arrows in the hands of a warrior. What’s the point of carefully crafting arrows? To point them in the right direction, let them go, and then watch them do some damage.

So we make arrows. We straighten them out. We take care in applying the fletching. If we’re feeling feisty, we give them some barbed, sharp teeth.

Then, we head to the battlefield. We aim farther than we can reach with our sword, and we point toward the meanest looking target. (It’s crucial that you understand our battle is not against flesh and blood here. Don’t get distracted.) And then we let that arrow go.

There’s a chance that arrow misses or gets redirected by things you can’t control, but heck, it may just take down a giant.

For some of you, your bow may be drawn, the target selected, and now it’s almost time to let go. Don’t hesitate once the moment is right. It’s a beautiful arrow. I felt the prick of its sharpness and bled a little bit. As cool as it is, it only makes an impact after release.

Don’t worry, though. After the victory is won, a warrior always goes and collects their arrows.