Tag Archives: becoming

formerly ‘becomingBubba’ this tag is now set to ‘becoming’ for my posts related to the journey of sanctification or the journey towards being more like Jesus in thoughts, speech and action.

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.

On Running and Marriage

Running has always given me a sense of accomplishment. It fuels my inner drive to go for just one more mile, one more step… and some more.

I thought marriage would fully unleash the athlete in me but I was mistaken – at least for the past 10 years. Marriage revealed the sloth.

Marriage IS a gift, it is a wonderful thing but it takes hardwork. The thing is, I don’t always like hardwork. However, in completing a marathon and making a marriage last, perseverance is key. Discipline is necessary.

I am skeptical of married couples who say they “don’t fight.” If you don’t fight then how can you and your spouse grow, not just go, through conlict?

You can go through conflict, sweep it under the rug and pretend that it doesn’t exist. You know, keep the peace… then divorce later?

Or you can grow through the conflict, confront your own demons, work together, and keep love aglow until ever after. Or something like that.

Conflict brought about by a married couple’s differences are not meant to be conciliatory. They’re meant to be complementary.

– becomingBubba

My marriage is teaching me (among many other things) that happiness is a choice I can make everyday.

I can choose to be happy regardless of who (or “what”) I’m married to. I can choose to complement and compliment my husband specially when it’s most challenging to do so.

I was single and happy when I completed my first half marathon. I thought if I got married, it’ll double the fun. Thankfully, I am not 100% wrong.

Word to the wise: if you’re not happy being single (or running alone), don’t get married. You won’t get any happier when you tie the knot. Just tie your shoelaces and keep running.

Oneness in marriage is not about codependency. It’s about not losing who you are as you work (should you decide to work) through your differences.

Oneness in marriage is like putting on a pair of marathon shoes that will weather all terrains. I can’t change shoes (or carry an extra pair) when I run a marathon, can I?

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1ti.4.8.NLT

May I persevere as marriage trains me towards godliness.