Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Insight on Pride
I reminded my six year old, Kaila that before we ask God for this and that, we must remember to also praise and adore Him, tell Him why He is wonderful and awesome. Her reply, "He might become proud!"
Salty the Snail
For several weeks now, I 've been praying to find a garden snail for my daughter's Science lesson (homeschool). I don't have a spacious garden where I live so I sought the assistance of my mom's household since she has a very big garden. But no success. Last May 16, Friday, when we came home at about 5 pm, after a downpour, I spotted the biggest snail I had ever seen! Size of an avocado! It was crawling on the topside of our wall. I was so amused and thankful that we finally discovered one.
In fascination, I watched the kids, extract the snail from the wall and transfer it to a basin with soil and leaves. Eagerly we opened our home encyclopedia to study the snail, review it's body parts and find out what it likes: damp places, plants, etc. In less than an hour, that snail munched up 4 big-size santol leaves! Soon, it was named SALTY. And sooner, this creature captured the heart of Kaila, our soon-to-be seven year old.
The next day, after providing a fresh supply of leaves and spraying Salty with water, we discussed living and non-living things. "Living things move just like Salty." "They eat and poop just like Salty." "They grow." "They produce young." "Is Salty a girl?" We also planned to use Kuya's old aquarium to make Salty a home so we can observe it further.
Sunday morning, in panic, Kaila announced, "Salty's gone!" We checked his basin and indeed, Salty mysteriously disappeared. Like little investigators, kids checked for snail tracks, etc. but there was no sign at all that could point us to the direction the little fellow crawled towards. Kaila was shaken. I personally felt a sense of loss because it was something I prayed for, found but just enjoyed for such a short time. We searched under every furnitire, looked in damp corners.. nothing!
That evening as Kaila tearfully said her bedtime prayers, she repeated what she prayed for during dinner time. "Could you send Salty back? I miss him. I want to share him with my friends." Afterwards, she asked, "Can God really send Salty back?" Hesitantly, I told her that the same God that created us was the same God that created Salty so He can send Him back. Kaila whispered, "If He wants to..." To which I agreed, "Yes, if that is His plan. Maybe Salty left to get you a gift for your birthday!" Then she said, "But Salty is so slow. Will he get back in time for my birthday?" Then I shared with her, "You know the bible also says that even before we ask, God can already be answering our prayer." (And there and then, quietly, I asked the Lord to mercifully grant her request.)
Before noon today, I opened a DVD drawer to get a cd, and guess who was checking out the titles? SALTY!!! I thought I had cracked it's shell when I pulled out the drawer, for awhile I thought it was dead but no.... the Lord chose to answer Kaila's heartfelt prayer. Shrieking in delight, Kaila runs down to check. Ate Tahnee was shaking her head in disbelief. Josh who saw the snail for the first time (was in camp) bravely handled the huge snail and we were awed that it was still alive!! Soon the old aquarium was brought down and transformed into a snail's shelter. More than that, Kuya, who was tasked to get more soil, gives a shout from the garden.."I found more! I found more!" He discoverd about a dozen baby snails, the size of tablets, which we included in the shelter. Each one began crawling on Salty's cone shell and up the leaves of tiny plants!! What a delight!
I can never forget the excitement and joy in Kaila's face naturally overflowing with praises to God, "I love you, Lord. I love you, Mom!" As she stared at Salty and the baby snails, "This is the best gift ever!" She agreed that indeed, even while she was praying last night, God had already answered her prayer cause Salty never really left!! Still stunned by how personally involved our good Lord is, I gave thanks to the Lord for caring enough to strengthen our faith, yes, Kaila's and mine. I hugged her and said, "He heard your prayer, dear, and granted it. His answer is even beyond what you asked!"
In fascination, I watched the kids, extract the snail from the wall and transfer it to a basin with soil and leaves. Eagerly we opened our home encyclopedia to study the snail, review it's body parts and find out what it likes: damp places, plants, etc. In less than an hour, that snail munched up 4 big-size santol leaves! Soon, it was named SALTY. And sooner, this creature captured the heart of Kaila, our soon-to-be seven year old.
The next day, after providing a fresh supply of leaves and spraying Salty with water, we discussed living and non-living things. "Living things move just like Salty." "They eat and poop just like Salty." "They grow." "They produce young." "Is Salty a girl?" We also planned to use Kuya's old aquarium to make Salty a home so we can observe it further.
Sunday morning, in panic, Kaila announced, "Salty's gone!" We checked his basin and indeed, Salty mysteriously disappeared. Like little investigators, kids checked for snail tracks, etc. but there was no sign at all that could point us to the direction the little fellow crawled towards. Kaila was shaken. I personally felt a sense of loss because it was something I prayed for, found but just enjoyed for such a short time. We searched under every furnitire, looked in damp corners.. nothing!
That evening as Kaila tearfully said her bedtime prayers, she repeated what she prayed for during dinner time. "Could you send Salty back? I miss him. I want to share him with my friends." Afterwards, she asked, "Can God really send Salty back?" Hesitantly, I told her that the same God that created us was the same God that created Salty so He can send Him back. Kaila whispered, "If He wants to..." To which I agreed, "Yes, if that is His plan. Maybe Salty left to get you a gift for your birthday!" Then she said, "But Salty is so slow. Will he get back in time for my birthday?" Then I shared with her, "You know the bible also says that even before we ask, God can already be answering our prayer." (And there and then, quietly, I asked the Lord to mercifully grant her request.)
Before noon today, I opened a DVD drawer to get a cd, and guess who was checking out the titles? SALTY!!! I thought I had cracked it's shell when I pulled out the drawer, for awhile I thought it was dead but no.... the Lord chose to answer Kaila's heartfelt prayer. Shrieking in delight, Kaila runs down to check. Ate Tahnee was shaking her head in disbelief. Josh who saw the snail for the first time (was in camp) bravely handled the huge snail and we were awed that it was still alive!! Soon the old aquarium was brought down and transformed into a snail's shelter. More than that, Kuya, who was tasked to get more soil, gives a shout from the garden.."I found more! I found more!" He discoverd about a dozen baby snails, the size of tablets, which we included in the shelter. Each one began crawling on Salty's cone shell and up the leaves of tiny plants!! What a delight!
I can never forget the excitement and joy in Kaila's face naturally overflowing with praises to God, "I love you, Lord. I love you, Mom!" As she stared at Salty and the baby snails, "This is the best gift ever!" She agreed that indeed, even while she was praying last night, God had already answered her prayer cause Salty never really left!! Still stunned by how personally involved our good Lord is, I gave thanks to the Lord for caring enough to strengthen our faith, yes, Kaila's and mine. I hugged her and said, "He heard your prayer, dear, and granted it. His answer is even beyond what you asked!"
Sunday, February 3, 2008
See What Prayer Can Do?
We got locked out of the house the other day. My two older children were trying to figure out how to get in the house. They climbed the roof, checked the windows and even tried to pick the locks. Then, my third child, Kaila (6) said, “Why don’t we pray?” And I saw her close her eyes and start talking to Jesus. That prompted me to gather them all and we prayed together.
We thanked the Lord that it was a cloudy and breezy afternoon, and that we all came home safely. Then we asked for wisdom and that we would be able to get in the house in no time. Shortly after we prayed, my cellphone rang and it was my husband who had anticipated it already so he hid the spare key in a safe place outside the house!! What a relief!! It felt so good to be inside our home.
The next day, we were cleaning up and I could not find the cover of a candy jar. As I walked around the house, shaking my head and fretting, my-just-turned-4, Ryan, came to me and said, “Mama, remember we prayed, then our door opened? Why don’t you pray so you can find the cover?” What a gentle rebuke!! Repenting I said, “Of course, Ryan, you are right. Let’s pray.” Kaila watched us as we prayed. Immediately after praying, my eyes looked up at an open cupboard. I reached inside a deep bowl and lo and behold, the cover was there!! Three sets of eyes simultaneously glared in amazement and Kaila aptly put it when she said later, with her smile from ear to ear, “See what prayer can do?!”
(Thank you, Lord for teachable moments like these, where we all, including myself, become first hand witnesses of what prayer can do.)
We thanked the Lord that it was a cloudy and breezy afternoon, and that we all came home safely. Then we asked for wisdom and that we would be able to get in the house in no time. Shortly after we prayed, my cellphone rang and it was my husband who had anticipated it already so he hid the spare key in a safe place outside the house!! What a relief!! It felt so good to be inside our home.
The next day, we were cleaning up and I could not find the cover of a candy jar. As I walked around the house, shaking my head and fretting, my-just-turned-4, Ryan, came to me and said, “Mama, remember we prayed, then our door opened? Why don’t you pray so you can find the cover?” What a gentle rebuke!! Repenting I said, “Of course, Ryan, you are right. Let’s pray.” Kaila watched us as we prayed. Immediately after praying, my eyes looked up at an open cupboard. I reached inside a deep bowl and lo and behold, the cover was there!! Three sets of eyes simultaneously glared in amazement and Kaila aptly put it when she said later, with her smile from ear to ear, “See what prayer can do?!”
(Thank you, Lord for teachable moments like these, where we all, including myself, become first hand witnesses of what prayer can do.)
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Drawing Comes to Life
Last year, my 74 year old dad fractured his thigh bone and as a result had to be confined to a wheelchair for at least 90 days. My 6 y.o. daughter Kaila empathized with me. She sensed my concern for my dad and she tried to comfort me by praying for his recovery every meal after the accident.
The accident happened during the 3rd quarter of 2007 and as we entered the "ber" months, Kaila began to draw Christmas icons: candy canes, gifts, trees...What was heartwarming was a drawing of her grandfather standing by the Christmas tree! I encouraged her to give it to Lolo (grandfather in our native language) and he posted it beside his bedside as an inspiration.
As Christmas drew near, my heart leaped at the news that dad was slowly putting weight on his injured leg. Soon he was taking small steps with the assistance of a caregiver. One day after New Year, my three year old, Ryan, challenged Lolo. "If you walk, Lolo, I will give you a prize!" And Kaila quietly but with much anticipation, observed her grandfather as he stood from his wheelchair and walked without assistance from the dining room to his bedside! What a victorious moment!
Lolo acknowledged the power behind Kaila's picture and her prayers (I know God listens to you) and asked Ryan for his prize. What did he get? Thrilled grandchildren, a very thankful daughter and six smashed bottle caps from Ryan's pocket.
The accident happened during the 3rd quarter of 2007 and as we entered the "ber" months, Kaila began to draw Christmas icons: candy canes, gifts, trees...What was heartwarming was a drawing of her grandfather standing by the Christmas tree! I encouraged her to give it to Lolo (grandfather in our native language) and he posted it beside his bedside as an inspiration.
As Christmas drew near, my heart leaped at the news that dad was slowly putting weight on his injured leg. Soon he was taking small steps with the assistance of a caregiver. One day after New Year, my three year old, Ryan, challenged Lolo. "If you walk, Lolo, I will give you a prize!" And Kaila quietly but with much anticipation, observed her grandfather as he stood from his wheelchair and walked without assistance from the dining room to his bedside! What a victorious moment!
Lolo acknowledged the power behind Kaila's picture and her prayers (I know God listens to you) and asked Ryan for his prize. What did he get? Thrilled grandchildren, a very thankful daughter and six smashed bottle caps from Ryan's pocket.
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