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!"

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.)

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.

Unexpected Pat on the Back

My daughter Tahnee was asked to draw a symbol for each member of the family. As she shared with me what she drew for each member, it gave me an insight into her heart. I became aware of how she perceived each one and it helped me understand her better. For instance, she drew a make-up kit for her younger sister, Kaila, because she remembers the bonding time she has with her when they do makeovers. After overhearing this though, Kaila interrupts and says, "Why didn't you draw Icicle (that's her favorite stuffed penguin playmate)?"

Through her symbols, I gathered how involved or detached she may be from the respective worlds of her siblings. It helps direct also my prayers for her and her family relationships. Consuquently, the reactions of family members also allow me to understand them as well and how they want to be peceived by others.

So what did she use to symbolize me? A little tense, I asked. And her response warmed my heart. "I drew an ear, Mom." Though I knew what she wanted to say, I did not want to assume so I asked what it meant. And when she confirmed what I really wanted to hear, "Because you listen, Mom," I felt rewarded considering how she used to resent the "distracted attention" I would give her in the past.

Think it would be a pretty good exercise to bond with family? Try it and I would like to know how it turns out.

When a Friend Goes Home

"You've been working so hard all these years. My sister said that rest is good and rest is godly. Take hold of it. Go and don't worry about what you leave behind. The Lord is able to take care of that." These were the words I whispered to the ears of a devoted single mom and dear friend the night she went home to the Lord.

As I walked down to the parking lot of the hospital, I knew that it would not be long. Tears fell from my eyes as I realized that I had began to miss her already. I earnestly prayed that just as she had been given the grace to live a full life, I knew even if I witnessed her fierce battle with cancer, how she withstood the pain, and even if she continued to struggle with every breath as if wanting to stay longer, that somehow, she would be given the grace to go home.

It was my first time to come alongside a friend who was suffering physically. I was so hesitant, not knowing if I could really be there for her. But as I prayed for her, the Lord put a burden in my heart to call her and visit her and just to confirm that, I would receive a text message from her requesting to see me. And knowing her, she would rarely ask. There were times I felt so helpless, so inadequate to encourage her and give her strength. There were times I wish I was just not there. But there were times I drew inspiration from her. How she faced her situation with courage, drawing spiritual food from inspirational music and Scripture. (That was her way of life. She did not only draw near to the Lord because she was sick but she had made Him her priority long before that.) Her body was weak but her Spirit was strong standing on every promise of our Lord. There was no trace of bitterness in her. No complaint whatsover. None at all.

As her situation worsened, more and more I realized how this body we have is but a shell, a container that we leave behind. What mattered was the inner person. How she remained a blessing despite her illness! She even sang to me a truth that I needed to hear myself, "His Strength is perfect, but ours is not." What a testimony! How His power was indeed made perfect in her weakness.

Though I will miss her, I know she is radiant now. Victorious and free. Yes, she is totally free of cancer, delivered from it's pain and sorrow. If I could only see her now, what a prize that would be! With a glorious crown on her head, and that familiar excited grin on her face as she takes hold of eternal rest. Her once dehydrated legs that I affectionately applied lotion to would be deliciously tanned, skipping and dancing on the streets of gold! Loved, overwhelmingly loved is what she would be feeling and not a second would go by that she would not know that.

For a time, I had hoped that we could still share answers to her deepest longings and prayers, but I knew very well that all her longings are fulfilled in Christ, her Savior. Her Greatest Lover, who has undoubtedly received her with a trimphant embrace. Mission accomplished. As a friend said and I agree, "She is Heaven's gain!"

Crash Course on Housekeeping

My househelp of 4 years left last July 14. So it has been two months since and I am still without one. With four kids, one in a regular school and three home-schooled, it has been a very challenging time for me. But I saw how this seemingly inconvenient arrangement was ordained. Soon after my helper left, I was invited to attend a whole day Housekeeping Seminar for free!!
The speaker succeeded in making me feel excited about the new responsibility that I had to take. How much creativity and practical wisdom are involved in running a household!

Then, as if on cue, I got a text message from a dear relative that she was giving me a whole year subscription to Good Housekeeping as a late birthday gift : ) Despite the disheartening observation of my 6 year old, (" We need to find a new "yaya" (helper), mom. You are crabby without one.") I developed a courage to hurdle this inconvenient time. Having sensed that a "yaya" was not coming as soon as we would all like, my daughter began to pray. "Lord, please make Mom smile when she is in the kitchen and bless us but bless Mom two times more!!"

One special morning, as I struggled between the dishes and home schooling, I decided to teach my children a song. I had not intended to, but having decided to just set housework aside, I opened my mouth not knowing what I was going to sing...and out came, "Make me a servant, humble and meek. Lord, let me lift up those who are weak. and may the prayer of my life always be. Make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today." I had not begun the second line when I felt my tears roll down my cheeks. That song was ministering to me. The Lord was teaching me servanthood and this time I was serving, not the little Sunday Schoolers but rather, my own children.

It has been physically taxing. How my former "yaya" had done it, I really cannot comprehend. I have repented over the reality that I, at times, expected too much of her and appreciated so little. I gained a new attitude towards them who really served with all their strength.

I even met a foreign visitor, a dear friend of my brother who pulled me aside during a family dinner asking me to explain further these "invisible hands", members of the household who cook the food, prepare and clean up but do not join us when we eat. He asked bluntly, "Your family is very religious. How do you reconcile this kind of set up?" I have no idea why it was I he pulled aside but I felt, probably the Lord had a message for me in our conversation.

He and his wife were concerned about the training of the children. They train them to bring their plates to the kitchen and clean up after. So how do we get to train our own kids? I felt it was an affirmation of the training my own children were getting since there were no invisible hands to rely on! The foreign couple expressed concern that the children may have a harder time when they are older.

I shared with him how "having yayas" has been part of our culture. How they serve us and in return we employ them. Having visited Smokey Mountain, this foreign friend agreed that being a "yaya" would seem like a promotion for the poor Filipinos being given an opportunity to live in a better environment and earn as well. He just finds it odd cause in their country, the one who cooks joins them at the table. I confessed to him that my attitude towards house helpers has evolved. From seeing them as strangers to treating them as people with dreams, feelings, hang ups, etc. From seeing them as subservient to my agenda to treating them as people with limitations and with thier own life purposes as well.

I found myself seeking the audience of my parent's 24 year old househelp, cook and butler. I appreciated him for his untiring devotion and apologized for the instances in the past, growing up as a teen-ager and a young adult that I surely may have offended him by my actions or words or taken his role for granted and failed to acknowledge the support he has selflessly given. Indeed, after this no-maid episode, I am not the same person I used to be. And as an appropriate closing to seal this experience, I was invited to speak to about 200 "yayas" and to them I was able to share. It was a golden opportunity to affirm their role as important and vital, and it was not surprising that I did it in a rather convincing way.

I am still hoping I get help soon. In the meantime, I know we will benefit from the inspiration of He who came not to be served but to serve.