what a child! what a gift!

He's spontaneous yet careful.
He's candid yet reflective.
In one instant, he'd mesmerize us with his smile.
At other times, he'd surprise us with his ideas.
In times when he's most a darling--
- He'd prays for mom and dad with his hand laid on us.
- He'd read his favorite book of world's wonders (and questions!)
- He'd talk with adults like he's also an adult.
- He'd ask questions that leave you wondering "where on earth did he get that?"
- He'd read one Bible story and asks his dad to read three more before he goes to sleep.
- He'd watch his favorite films the nth time until the DVD cracked and no more. Once he cried over a torn dvd and in between sobs, he said "it has served its purpose so it's gone now."
- He'd say out loud or post in our bedroom door "dad/mom, i love you"
- He'd demand that mom sings to him as she puts him to sleep-- this is on top of the massage session!
- He'd find his way inside our room early morning so we could cuddle before his breakfast time.
- He'd ask his dad to leave the room cause his bed is too small for us (although what he really wants is to be alone with mom)
In times when he is least a darling--
- He'd argue with mom and dad why there's consequence.
- He'd post some warning signs such as "No Entry"
- He'd ask why he has a schedule to follow at home when his friends do not have.
- He'd complain why he couldn't play outside past 6pm when all his best friends are still out there playing.
- He'd do something good so he could have his way.
- He'd get into fights and insists that he is right.
- He'd come home silent and immediately reach out and opens the medicine cabinet for Betadine as first aid to his wounded elbow, or knees or toes--
- he'd resist and struggle with our embrace every after rod session
Family fun times are filled with surprises!
- He'd beam with pride as he shows us his rewards from Sunday School class
- He'd plan out our family times (at malls) and makes sure he's got more time to play or check new toys around.
-  He'd tell his mom to do groceries while he and dad goes to his favorite toy store.
-  He'd share about his day and reports what is fun and what is not.
-  He'd tell lengthy narration of how a neighbor spoiled their game and bowed not to play with that neighbor again.
What a child!
He's both a darling and a challenging one--
He's a whole new world for us to discover, learn from and grow with--
He's a fragile soul who needs much these three--- love, love and love.
He's our boy extraordinaire God entrusted to us to nurture.
May we be faithful in fulfilling our role as parents-- to raise up a godly generation who loves and honors God. 

His time, His terms

First published at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=161967780519285

I bumped into this conversation between King Saul and the prophet Samuel. I got interested why the latter gave the king such a stern rebuke.

1 Samuel 13:8-13

"He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter.  So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash,  I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”  “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

At the first glance, you would see that indeed, King Saul did wait.  Based on the time given by the prophet Samuel, i.e. to wait for seven days. And it was Samuel who did not beat his deadline. So what to do? King Saul did what seemed best to do that time.  Besides, his men are getting restless and scattered, and the threat of Philistine’s attack is too much to handle--- Saul just got to do something before it’s too late!   My first impression was that King Saul made a proactive move because Samuel was  late.

Until Samuel came and rebuked him for having done such “foolish thing.” The act of offering a sacrifice in itself was good. Saul still sought the favor of the Lord, didn’t he? Yet the foolishness that Samuel pointed out in Saul was the attitude of his heart—there was distrust and faithlessness.  Distrust on Samuel’s word that he will come. So Saul did not wait further. He did not have any second thought that God must be up to something and come what may, he will wait until Samuel comes and hear from him what happened.  Faithlessness because it was so easy for him to shift focus from the God  to the circumstances at hand.

The moment he shifted his focus, he panicked and thought he could do the ritual himself. And perhaps, he would hear from God himself. Perhaps he thought, “why, does it  always have to be the prophets that hear the Lord?  Well, not this time. I will hear it directly from God. Besides, Samuel defaulted already. ”  Nonetheless, in God’s eyes, it was disobedience. It was foolish!

What is God Saying To Me?   

From this passage God reminded me that He works in His perfect timing. That He is not bound by man’s schedule, goals and even circumstances. Much more, He looks at the attitude of our hearts. A lot of times God rebuked me with being so driven. And a lot of times I got myself into conflict (especially with my husband!) because of this. While it is just so easy for me to just attribute or find excuse from my temperament style (Choleric), I know in my heart and by experience that pacing with my Lord is always ideal and puts my soul at rest.  He works perfectly when I am not meddling with His agenda for my life—in His own time and His own terms.

One example was my desire to go cross-cultural missions, particularly to the Unreached People Groups. (UPGs). Having trained myself with TESOL, I felt that I was ready to plunge to the unknown and see my dreams come true. I want to see my life making a difference in the lives of those who don’t have much access to the world’s resources. My plan was to join a team of missionaries who are into community development with holistic approach. I read books and connected with people who shares with my desired direction.

But God’s plan is far different from what I pictured it to be then. He led me to marry instead and become an instant mommy! And not only that, He brought us to IGSL (www.glg-igsl.org). It was exciting though and I could say that my joy is full.  Yet everything happened fast---and  in between I would have moments of grief over loss of freedom as single person (although I am basically free under the authority of my husband ;-) , or that my dream may not come true anymore as I committed to embrace the calling of my husband after IGSL. The one thing that comforts me every time is the fact that God’s timing is always perfect. What is important is I am at the center of God’s will and nothing can ever go wrong as I keep pace with my Lord.

Every Monday, I attend classes under the Partners in Ministry (PIM) program. We are a multi-cultural class. And as if God has seen my longing to practice TESOL, He just led me to help a classmate, an Indonesian woman who needs a tutor. She and husband pastors a church of Indonesian congregation in Makati City. My heart sings!

Whether cross-cultural missions or not, my prayer is that may I be consistently be in-step with my Lord and to wait upon Him come what may. In His time and in His own terms.

Redefining Rest

(First Published at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=159749947407735)

I smiled trying to visualize the great Creator taking a rest after that 6-full day of work (Genesis 2:2). He must have said to himself, “now, sit back, relax and take delight in your creation”.  Interestingly, rest comes after work—not the other way around. Ever wonder why God, with all His power would take time to rest?  

To my mind, rest had been emphasized from the very beginning because God knew that eventually work would occupy much of man’s 24-hour schedule. He also knew the tendency of man to be consumed with work (whether for practical reasons or for nobler purposes). God  not only commanded us to rest, but he exemplified it to us—for our own good.

But rest seemed to be elusive. Much as we want to dwell in our cozy bed in the morning, the list of TTDs for the day pulls us to get up and startanother day rolling.  For career moms, break times could have been great for power nap but there we are on the phone--checking the house or our children at school. To top it all, there seemed to be a never-ending concern about everything----overcrowded MRT, traffic jam, deadlines, budget and control, officemates, boss, parenting and with your spouse.

Is rest really elusive? What does it mean for a woman who wears different hats every day?  From Genesis 2:2, I was led to Christ’s invitation recorded in the book of Matthew:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matt 11:28-30 The Message)

From the very words of Jesus I found a new definition of rest. It means coming to Christ and letting Him take control of our lives 24/7. It means total dependence and surrender to Him. 

Rest is encompassing. Wherever we may be, whatever our hands are busy doing or whatever situation we are shove into --- there is always time and opportunity to rest. It is up to us if we choose to humble ourselves and step aside so He could take the reign—only then we could live freely and lightly.

Lavish welcome

Note: First published at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=154177607964969

Probably some you have read my post earlier about my struggle watching the fireworks during the New Year’s eve. May I share with you the entire reflection.

As I watch the fireworks from a hotel room (overlooking MetroManila), I was both awed by the magical effect of pyrotechnics at the same time sadden by the cost of such a split-second display. There go the millions and millions of pesos.  There goes the millions! Is it really worth it?

But it also got me thinking- if man could welcome d new year w/ such lavishness, h0w much more the ultimate return of the Lord Jesus Christ? Its grandiosity is way, way beyond man's imagination! Not even the most sophisticated pyrotechnics man invented could ever surpass to the glory of Christ’s return.  All corners of the earth will be witnesses and it will be real time. We will altogether see Jesus.

With these thoughts, I was led to search my heart. How am I in terms of anticipating His return?  Am I excited to see Him face to face? Suddenly, amid the noise of celebration, my heart yielded to the Spirit’s probing—as if I was on a hot seat.

Do I long for His presence here and now?

I knew, if would rate myself I would fall below average.

I confess my default is the doing and doing.  Given my temperament (not an excuse, though!). I am prone to choose the good things over the best thing. Or set aside what is best because the good ones seemed to be both urgent and important.

“Come away, my child.”  I so often hear my Lord bid me. To come away from the routine of good things and just be with Him.

In that moment of confession, I just felt like I want to embrace Jesus. I know He has never left me not even a split second. It is me that often goes ahead. There were even times I keep a little distance from Him—when my heart is too proud to admit my faults and when it is seemingly comforting to cuddle with my own hurts and disappointments. Only to end up feeling empty and defenseless.

I could write pages and pages of God’s faithfulness to my life in the year that was. But the one thing that truly stood out are those moments of surrender to Him.  Every time I do, a fresh gush of His grace and mercies flow and fill my cup until it overflows to someone else’s cup. He fills me more and more so that others can be filled, too.

“Come away, my child.” I know, this is a day-to-day invitation of my Lord Jesus. I guess you share with me in desiring to be more intentional in our relationship with Him. May God finds us faithful, drawing closely to Him every day until His glorious appearing.

know your child

(Note: first published via http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=142350205814376)

I knew I would be in for a surprise. But I went through it, anyway.  Joshua and I were doing my assignment-- yes, my assignment in Christian Motherhood class. For Josh' age, it was to be an interview-- a sentence completion interview.  He just need to complete  the sentence with anything that comes to his mind. No coaching nor editing. Can you imagine the struggle of a choleric-sanguine-editor mom? :-)  With Josh' permission, let me share with you what I've got:

(Note: Joshua's thoughts in lower case)

I LIKE TO... say "I love you."

MOTHERS ARE... good, caring for their children.

MY FAVORITE FOOD IS...(are)  hotdog, ham and potatos.

MY BEST FRIEND IS... (are) Benjamin, Trishan and Atishe.

I LIKE MY BEST FRIEND BECAUSE... they give me toys, and also they say "I want to be your friend."

I'M AFRAID WHEN... there's rain, lightning and thunder.

MY FAVORITE PLACE IS... IGSL because there are friends.

DADDIES ARE...talkative and huggable.

TODAY I FEEL... happy because my mom is interviewing me.

I GET MAD WHEN...I cannot have my way all the time.

THE BEST THING ABOUT MY HOME IS...my toy, my food and our cuddle in our very big bed.

IF I WERE A PARENT, I WOULD...buy toys for  my children, buy them food and give them what they want.

I LOVE TO... play pet house.

MY FAVORITE TOY IS...transformers.

MY FATHER...is taking care of me and loves me.

MY MOTHER...is a hip mom and is always kissing me and hugging me.

I DON'T LIKE...green leafy vegetables.

I WISH PEOPLE WOULDN'T...hate me.

WHEN I GROW UP, I...wanna be a pastor.

WHEN I'M ALONE, I...tun on the music and I'm happy.

I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN... I cannot have my way.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO...be good all the time.

I HATE IT WHEN...kids fight my friends.

I WISH I COULD...fly in the sky.

I FEEL HAPPIEST WHEN...my mom and dad buy me toys.

I FEEL IMPORTANT WHEN...they (friends) obey or follow me.

I FELT LIKE CRYING WHEN...my mommy says "you're grounded."

IF I WERE A TEACHER, I WOULD...take care of my students.

WHAT I WANT MOST IS...(are) toys and things and cars.

I FEEL PROUD WHEN...small kids respect me.

SOMETHING THAT BOTHERS ME IS...when they disturb me from my play.

I'M GOOD AT...playing toys, singing and karate.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE WORLD IS... Jesus.

PS:

The interview gave me a glimpse of Joshua's soul, his love language, his bents, and his passion. There's more to discover, unleash and nurture in him. And every time I consider the weight of responsibility and the challenges of motherhood, I find myself looking up to God, our ultimate parent-- that by His grace,  I (with Rueland) will be able to parent Joshua well and nurture him to be the kind of man God designed him to be.

Three generations:
Joshua with daddy Rueland and (Grand)Papa-dear Lalano Badoy Sr.