Being a praying parent

“It’s not being a perfect parent that makes the difference in a child’s life, because there are no perfect parents. None of us are perfect, so how can we be perfect parents?  It’s being a praying parent that makes the difference. And that’s something we call can be.”  

Here’s a prayer for our children (that I took the liberty of lifting) from Stormie’s book. (Thank you so much, Stormie.) This has been making an impact in my life, and for sure, later on, to my children's. May this make an impact in yours and in your children's, too:

Lord,  I pray that you would pour out your Spirit upon (name of child) this day and anoint him (her) to be and do. Lord, you have said, “Let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called” (1 Corinthians 7:24). May it be for this child according to your Word, that he (she) never stray from what you have called him (her) to be and do, or try to be something he (she) is not.  

Deliver him(her) from any evil plan of the devil to rob him (her) of life, to steal away his (her) uniqueness and giftedness, to compromise the path you’ve called him (her) to walk, or to destroy the person You created him (her) to be. May he (she) not be a follower of anyone but may he (she) be a leader of people into your kingdom. Help him (her) to grow into a complete understanding of his (her) authority in Jesus, while retaining a submissive and humble spirit. May the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control grow in him (her) daily (Galatians 5:22).  May he (she) find his (her) identity in You, view himself (herself) as Your instrument, and know that he (she) is complete in You.

Give him (her) a vision for her life when setting goals for the future and a sense of purpose about what You’ve called him (her) to do. Help him (her) to see himself (herself) as you do—from his (her) future and not from his (her) past. May he be convinced that your thoughts toward him (her) are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give him (her) a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Teach him (her) to look to you as his (her)hope for the future.  May he (she ) understand it is you “ who have saved and  called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9). May his (her) commitment to who You created him (her) to be enable him (her) to grow daily in confidence and Holy spirit boldness.

                                                                   excerpted from

The Power of a Praying Parent

      by Stormie Omartian           

NENE, NANA, NENA: MY 3 MOST IMPORTANT MOMS

How would you respond to this question: Who are your three most important moms?

In my world, the top bets are my own mom, my hubby’s mom and my non-mom.

The first two separate lives form our intertwined lives.  Through them, we were made whole. The third one is not my mom at all. She is my aunt who has been single-blessedly spending her past 18 years with us to help me look after my 10 angels while tending my backyard.

 I lovingly dedicate this page to you.

Nanay Nene, thank you is never enough to make you realize how proud and grateful I am to be your daughter. You’ve given much of yourself from that destined moment when I was just a seed, securely ensconced in your womb. The seed sprouted from inside, blossomed beautifully into a bud, and flowered to fruition... prolifically, I’d say.

I am who I am because you are you:  Nurturing, embracing, noteworthy, empowering.  

Now that I’m all grown up, you’re still around for me – making yourself available to the seeds that spring up from me – your grandchildren.

And yes, may I quote what Abraham Lincoln fondly shouted to the world as if it were my own, “ I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life.” 

_ _ _  

Nana, I owe you for how you’ve brilliantly created Phil. (Of course, never can I pay you back.) Your love and guidance that see him through the happiest and toughest times fortified his character.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

 Your light-heartedness gives joy to our hearts. Being with you brings out the giggles and the guffaws. You’ve fought the hardest hospital battles, just so you’ll be around longer for your children.

Yes, at 82, you can still chat over the net and play boggle or scrabble breezily.  Yet, you also know what counts the most. That is, your daily communion and devotion with the Father.  You’ve inculcated that in Phil, too.

_ _ _

Nena,You’re my angels’ Lola Bai ( moniker meaning “bait” or kind). You could have chosen to settle quietly in your own idyllic home in the province but your selfless love for our family won over. You've been with us for almost 18 years and you've given of yourself just like a real mother would have. Thank you so much for your constant and sacrificial presence.

I love you so much, my 3 Nanays. Salamat po sa inyong buhay. May you continue to shine today. You are God’s super blessings to me. J

"10-der thoughts on mothering"

 
:-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)

1. Love starts at home.
    Though it may sound cliche, home is truly where the heart is.  Love may be expressed in thoughts, words,  hugs and kisses, tears, laughter and food.

2. When we're madly in love, parenting gets less maddening.
    A loving partnership with our spouse makes parenting so much easier. Moreover, our love for one another definitely overflows to our children. Preserving our marital mantle matters to them.

3. Every child's got talent!
    Discover, hone and maximize their gifts. Empower them by encouragement. Teach them. Learn with them. Help them pursue their purposes.

4. Availability is measured in quantity and quality.
    Counting the hours we spend with our children counts a lot. And remember, physical presence doesn't count when we're mentally absent.

5. Dare to discipline.
    Our most challenging role. Our children need to understand the authority God gave us as parents,being stewards of the lives He blessed us with. Let go of discipline and let a soul spoil.

6. The best way to a child's heart is during playtime.
    Playtime produces friendship. Be it 1-2-3 Pass, monopoly, hopscotch, DS interactive one-on-one or peek-a-boo.  Best bonding memories happen here.

7. It shouldn't be hard to say "I'm sorry".
    When we humble ourselves, we teach them to be humble, too. When we displease or hurt our children, we end up hurting ourselves more. Saying sorry is the antidote to a hurting heart.

8. Catch them doing right.
    Not only when they're wrong. Compliments complement the well-roundedness of their character. Praise fertilizes their hearts and motivates them to do even better.

9. Pray for them and with them.
    It never fails. From a simple toothache to miserable measles, God gets going when we go to Him.  Blessing them daily, too, assures them of our genuine love and care.

10. Don't forget your "me time".
      De-stressing  revitalizes our mind and body. Get some quiet time. Grab a book. Dine with your spouse. Go out with a friend. Run off to a spa. Join a missions trip. Don't feel guilty when you need to pause and catch your breath.           

By the time I reached #10, I knew the list could go on and on. So you may consider this as just the first of a series...       

no ordinary day

Definitely not.


James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above." I thank God, that today, my perfect gift from above is celebrating another "new year". From my quivering heart, thank you.....
       --- for the ten or more precious songs you've exclusively written and sung for me. They never fail to make me cry. These masterpieces are like your soul, my dear mate. Not to mention the ten lullabies you've pulled out for our children as well. They never fail, indeed. :)
       --- that ours is a happy home. That's because you're a happy husband and a happy dad. You fill our hearts with laughter, guffaws, giggles, chuckles... just by being you. Yet when things go rough, you're there to carry me through, walking the extra mile so we can go the distance. Though sometimes left unspoken, your care and concern are always appreciated.
      --- I cannot forget the innumerable, colorful blooms of roses, liliums, tulips, daisies, and what have you varieties that graced my hands on special days and any day you feel like it. And yes, the petals you scattered on my steps leading to you know where. You make me feel like a queen.
      --- You are an epitome of love. Pardon the cliche. Yours is a love that's vividly expressed in words and action. One that overflows outwardly. One that  overlooks offenses. Something that's securely selfless.


I love you so much. May you soar higher with your faith. May the vision God impressed upon your heart come to pass in due time.

just got started

Quiverblessed is how my Maker simply wired me. A woman who’s tummy had been filled and tremor-ized ten times over. :)  Truly living a challenging, sweet life of motherhood.  24/7 mommy-hood work in progress. Continuously rearing the breaths entrusted by God in the meantime. Domini, Justine, David, Raffa, Keziah, Johana, Fides, Carita, Isaiah, and Keren. Terribly tougher ten times over. But also blessed ten times more. Treasures from my tummy no glittery gold can ever match.