Relationships – Page 3

Bring your kids to Jesus

Some people brought their small children to Jesus so he could touch them. But his followers told the people to stop bringing their children to him.

When Jesus saw this, he was displeased. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them. The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children. I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God as a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:13‭-‬16 ICB https://bible.com/bible/1359/mrk.10.13-16.ICB

Note to self. God hasn’t called you to keep looking over your shoulder and see how other parents or experts are raising their kids.

While it helps to listen and glean from the wisdom of those who have “been there, done that” with exemplary results, God’s purpose for your children – and your family – is as unique as your fingerprints.

Raise your son not as a mini version of you – he isn’t, he shouldn’t be – but as God has designed him to be.

Children don’t come with operating manuals because they’re not supposed to be mechanical.
becomingBubba

Children don’t come with operating manuals because they’re not supposed to be mechanical.

Bring your son to Jesus, not just Sunday School! Pray for him, for yourself, for your family.

Pray WITH him. Oh, let him pray un-memorized prayers, prayers from his heart! Let him exercise his faith muscles.

Let him see in your life how real God is, that His love is tangible, His love comes softly, His love is gentle.

Let him experience God’s undivided attention, His listening heart, His compassion, His courage.

Let him know that God is saddened and angered by sin, that He disciplines those who are His and that the freedom He gives frees you to be good people, to do good deeds, not wayward ones.

Discipline. Disciple. Do you see it?

Whether you’re happily married or a solo parent, if you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit IS your partner in parenting. You are not alone!

Protect your children, by all means, protect them from the ways of the world and trends that bend the truth!

“Jesus IS the Way, the Truth and the Life,” is more than just a memory verse. It is foundational – for you, your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rest in the Truth that, indeed, you and your children are not your own. You belong to Jesus. Bring your kids to Jesus!

Bring yourself, too.

The battle in your mind.

What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?
Let go of people’s expectations so you can have harmony inside and out.

They say a little competition doesn’t hurt anyone; it’ll be fun, it’ll push people up.

They’re right – to some extent.

If you feel this endless desire to cast shade on someone else to lift yourself up, then you’re in trouble.

The best competition we win is not against someone else. We win best when we first win against the competition in our mind.

No wonder the Bible tells us in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

What’s competing for your attention? Your life won’t change unless you change your thoughts first.

This, however, doesn’t apply to the identity that God gave you when He created you in your mother’s (whether biological or surrogate) womb.

No amount of therapy can change what God has designed for you when He first made you. Perhaps, in the midst of everything you’ve tried out there, His design is what you’ve been yearning for. Make a U-turn. He’s waiting.

Weekday Getaway

I remember it like it was only yesterday: our first-ever quick getaway – on our own – as a family of 3.

It took me several days to prepare our luggage for a 3D2N stay. When you have a toddler, it’s “better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it,” as my sister would say.

I found the property on GoogleMaps and made reservations thru their FB/Messenger. I booked 1 cabina (w/ free breakfast for 2) for Wed-Fri and availed of their discounted off-peak rates.

Wednesday: Helpful people

Kuya Allan, our favorite iDol Taxi driver, picked us up from our sunshine home and dropped us off at the resort.

Safe ride from Batangas City to any point in Region 4A/Calabarzon.

We were late for check-in but it was hassle-free. Shortly after paying for our accommodation, we were ushered in to the Bonifacio Cabina.

We moved the three beds together to make a huuuuge one.

Unfortunately, my OC tendencies failed me. We missed the in-resort restaurant (they were open only until 5pm). And I forgot hubby’s swimming gear!

We had a few minutes before sundown to explore and take a few photos.

Hubby thought it will be safer if he left us in the cabina while he searched the vicinity for food and water. I felt otherwise so I insisted that our son and I tag along.

The sun was setting and we were getting hungrier by the minute. Signal was weak, foodpanda was unavailable. We waited by the gate of the resort for public transportation. Zero. We started walking.

Then… God.

God sent help. An angel – a tricycle (or trike) driver – passed by and took us to a water refilling station. It was closed but the people were kind enough to sell us 5 gallons of mineral water in a blue jerrycan with faucet.

Kuya trike driver also took us to an area of the neighborhood where food was sold. Hubby got cooked rice, lechon manok, lechon liempo and pinakbet. Thankfully, there was also an Alfa Mart, so we bought 7 liters of Wilkins Distilled Water for our little one.

In my short chat with Kuya trike driver, I learned that he was a barangay police. He was actually on his way home when he saw us. He could’ve simply said “No” when my husband waved at him but he went out of his way and asked how he can help us.

It was dark by the time we returned to the resort. We blessed Kuya trike driver as he went back to his family. We DIY-ed our way to dine al fresco on a moonlit night.

Then…I found out I forgot to pack our eating utensils! Thankfully, Tatay Cito, Pueblo’s caretaker, lent us some. He also helped us connect to the resort’s internet.

After tidying up and a quick man-to-man talk between hubby and our little one, lights out.

Thursday: No problem!

There’s nothing better than waking up to a reminder that God is always there for you, ready to help when you need it. Beholding the wonders of His creation is an added bonus.

God’s timing is amazing. Our toddler attends an online playgroup every Thursday and the month’s theme coincided with our trip: Nature.

I managed to take a few photos of the cabina‘s quaint toilet and bath.

The lavatory is open. It separates the toilet and the bath, each of which have windows for ventilation and sliding doors for privacy.

The toilet can be improved with safety rails but overall it is safe and spacious enough for people with mobility issues.

The bath area offers ample elbow room for assisted bathing. Water heater is available.

(to be continued…)