Several months ago, I posted a blog describing how I was given my SiSwati name. After living in Swaziland for three months, the entire Peterson tribe has been given new names by our Swazi friends! Today, I would like to tell you about my husband’s new name: Majaha. For those of you who are fluent in SiSwati you will recognize that as the word for warrior. A Swazi warrior looks something like this:
or this:
…which is a little different then the warrior in our house. Our warrior usually isn’t swinging weapons around:
…he is more likely to be wielding the ‘sword of the Spirit’ (Ephesians 6:17); rather than an actual spear…
…he spends more time playing games in the sand than drawing lines in it…
…he is more likely to be showing his son how to use tools to repair someone’s house, then he is to be hiding weapons of mass destruction…
“So what kind of a warrior is this guy, anyway??” (you might be asking yourself)
The word ‘warrior’ is defined as follows: someone engaged in or experienced in warfare. If we read earlier in Ephesians 6, we discover the following: ” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (vs.12) Sounds like a job for a warrior, doesn’t it? Someone who is prepared for battle, in body and soul! A warrior must have courage, discipline, assertiveness and commitment to face what is before him. A spiritual warrior requires these characteristics and more…
A spiritual warrior must have compassion:
…a spiritual warrior must carry joy and laughter:
…a spiritual warrior must know how to use his hands to bring justice, equality, comfort and peace:
Such is life with a warrior in the house! Life with a warrior is NEVER dull…NEVER boring! It often includes things from the following list out of Hebrews 11: conquering kingdoms, administering justice, shutting the mouths of lions, quencing the fury of flames, escaping the edge of the sword, battling foreign armies. (verses 33-34 paraphrased)
Lately, however, it looks a lot more like this:
I love you, Eric…and I always knew there was a warrior inside!
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” ~ James 1:12
Thanks baby. One of the best parts of being a warrior is the beautiful heroine I get to share life with! You’re pretty fierce yourself! I love you!
Thanks for sharing this, Jen. What a beautiful tribute to your husband. I still feel so blessed for the years he spent being such a positive mentor to my children.
Once again, Jen, I am totally impressed with your way with words, your description of Eric, and the pictures, all of them, but especially the last one. so tender. Thanks again for letting us share. Love all of you.
Jen, this was so beautiful. Eric is a great warrior here and over there! I will forever cherish everything he passed on to our kids while being the youth pastor. This world is a better place for having special people like you in it. Thanks for sharing everything with us!
Beautiful Jen. What a blessing to be able to see these qualities in the person you’ve chosen to spend your life with. I love you both.
I love you daddy
Love it (and both of you)!
Nice job – very well done and true!
awesome tribute Jen! You and Eric and your kids are awesome people! Yeah for kingdom warriors! 🙂