Guarded with helmets, jackets and sweatshirts, jeans and gloves these boys were ready for action against their ‘enemy’. For these 12yr old boys there was no better place to be than to enter into this make believe war zone. Seth wanted this as his birthday gift and if it meant they got to be outside, running around and having fun then I was all for it.
Looking at this picture makes me think of how much we need to make sure we are equipped mentally to guard ourselves daily from the attacks and blows that can come our way.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.
Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:11-17[/box]
About every half hour the boys would come back to me where I sat with the cookie cake and personal items reading the latest Texas Monthly. One or two boys revealed a few areas that weren’t properly guarded and they got a hit on the skin which left an angry red mark. They appeared shocked that this happened even though one was wearing shorts and he got hit in the leg that wasn’t covered and the other who had on short sleeves got hit on the arm that wasn’t covered. Now they realized they needed to overcompensate and make sure to take extra measures to protect the parts of their body that weren’t covered. Back into battle they headed and came back victors.
This is much like how we are daily when we let one area of our life go unguarded with truth and we go to bed bewildered by the sting of how quickly we were wounded. None of us are invincible or immune to the many conniving and deceitful ways the enemy attacks but if we keep our mind, body and spirit in His Word, guarded by His Truth then we will be properly equipped to ‘stand firm against the tactics of the enemy’ and head back into our daily battle coming out victorious.
The Word is timeless. Make an extra effort daily to read one sentence or one paragraph to guard you for the day.
For those of you who have been listening to my interview with Terry Lowry on What’s Up Radio, here is Part III for Sexual Abuse Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month:
PART 3 RADIO INTERVIEW ON WHAT’S UP RADIO
The HOPEFUL HEARTS CHARM is now up on the MAIN PAGE! Thank you ALL for your overwhelming response in BUYING ONE / GIVING ONE ! Such a blessing. 🙂
Blessings
Shannon