Alyanna: “Mom, Am I beautiful?”

Me: “Of course!!! You are sooo beautiful!”

Alyanna: “I’m beautiful even if I don’t wear make-up and wear nail polish?”

Me: *shocked*

Alyanna is just four years old and already she concerns herself with this. I don’t know what made her start to think that the only way for her to be beautiful is by putting on color– not just on her face, but even on her nails! I dread to think how erred her thinking would become if I do not make an intentional effort to speak the truth of God’s Word in her life starting NOW.

We take one look around and we see hundreds of billboards, TV ads, and magazines…all geared toward making us think that we need to look a certain way and dress in a particular fashion to look beautiful and be loved and appreciated. I apologize for having to use the term I am about to, but I hate how the world is so brilliant and creative in brainwashing us. I hate how the world is succeeding in dictating to us our sense of worth. I hate how we have allowed the world to set the standard for what is and what is not beautiful, what is and what is not good, what is and what is not right. I am using the word “us” because it’s not just our kids they are getting to. I find that I, too, have to constantly check my heart and remind myself of God’s Word and what He says He thinks about me, what He says about how He created me.

I don’t know about you, but I love my kids way too much and believe in the destinies that God has set in their lives to just allow the world to twist their minds and lie to them. I will not allow the world to steal their identity. I will not allow this world to dictate their worth. I will not hand them over to the systems of this world!

Whoa! Galit ka ba Thammie?? Hehe…Hindi naman. Nagpapaliwanag lang. :D

Parents, let us make an intentional effort to speak God’s truth into the hearts of our children every day. It is my prayer that God will give us the wisdom and creativity to be able to mold our kids’ ways of thinking according to God’s Word. I pray that we will be keen to identify areas in which our children need our assurance and affirmation, and that we will be proactive in ministering to their felt needs. I pray that as parents, we will be at the forefront of the battle for our children’s hearts and minds.

…..And all this is because of Alyanna’s one question. ;)


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Tagaytay trip: The 3 R’s

“Let’s go!!”

“Hurry up!!”

“C’mon, we’re running late!!”

All too often we hear ourselves either rushing to respond to these words by our husbands, or being the ones yelling them out. One of the things I’ve noticed once I had kids is that I find myself having to rush or multi-task a lot of times. I have nothing against hurrying it up every once in a while, but if we are not careful what often happens is we end up in a routine of being hurried— a whole different story.

I really do not want to blame living in the Metro for this kind of lifestyle, but sometimes I just wish I live in the province where there is less traffic, cheaper everything, healthier choices of food (again, at cheaper prices), less pollution…aah, here I am again, wishing. :)

Since I know this is far from happening, I am super thankful that yesterday, i had the very rare opportunity to get a WHOLE DAY (AND night) off from everything and spend time with dear friends. One of them quirked, “at paano mo naman napapayag si Pastor Dennis na makuha si Thammie today??” (“And how did you manage to convince Pastor Dennis to allow Thammie to come with us today??”) The answer?? This day off was planned a month before! :) Besides, one of those dear friends is leaving next week and will be gone for two whole years. :( Of course, Dennis couldn’t say no to me spending time with her before she does. :)

I just have to say yesterday was probably one of the most “rejuvenating” day trips I’ve been to— ever! (Yes, I really just had to use that rejuvenating term…as in like the shampoo and aromatherpy kind of rejuvenating….soooo refreshing!!) I love how the day turned out to be more than a time of eating (though of course that was one of the primary objectives) and bonding. More than anything, the four of us felt relaxed, refreshed, and most of all ROMANCED by God. Now, I don’t mean to sound religious or mushy or anything, but I can’t help but express how kilig I am with God. :) I came home last night so in love with my Maker, so in awe of His creation, so……. *sigh* :) I am so in love. Thank you, Lord. :)


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