Happy Mothers' Day to My Mom!

There was a part of my life when I’ve been a disobedient daughter. I was in a relationship with someone whom my family didn’t approve of because, even though that man professed himself as a Christian, his lifestyle didn’t confirm it. Other parents might say: Kung saan ka masaya, susuportahan ka namin (As long as you’re happy, we will support you). Not my parents. Not my mom. God should always come first. And part of her reprimanding me was leaving me to ponder on this verses in the Bible: Deuteronomy 30:11-20.

“This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach… No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it. Now listen! Today I AM GIVING YOU A CHOICE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in His ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed….Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses… OH, THAT YOU WOULD CHOOSE LIFE… You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life…”

Simpler said, my mom didn’t want me to be “happy” by my own definition of happiness, especially during that time, which was shallow and selfish. My mom wanted me to find true happiness by being “right with God.” She knew that God would not be pleased with my rebelliousness, so in her godly wisdom and love for me, she rebuked me. Her words weren’t what I wanted to hear during that time, but it was certainly the very thing I needed to hear!

And that, I believe what mothers should always do. Like my mom, pray for your children always and lead them through the “straight and narrow” path, teach them to be obedient to God at all times so that they will live a life of blessings instead of curses.

Happy Mothers’ Day to my Mami! I will never forget your teachings and your prayers and your usually-out-of-tune singing of “A Pure Heart.” Thank you for setting a wonderful example of living a life as a godly woman. May the Lord be delighted and glorified by your life until the day He calls you home. I love you to smithereens! <3