by Tini Tadeo-Castillo
Day 5
We both are imperfect parents. We have had our share of blunders in the past and even until now, we slip. But I praise God for second chances. As we commit to become more involved and intentional this time around, I look back at our hits and misses as a father and a mother. We had misses and boy they were a lot. But despite these, I really thank the Lord for the hits that made lasting, significant and good impacts on Jam and Cicc. One of those hits was your presence. You were there in most of the milestones and made efforts not to miss out on the important things. You were there to teach them how to tie their shoelaces, you laughed and wrestled with them, sang with them, taught them how to play the guitar, played jokes on and with them, and made sure you were there beaming with pride as they receive awards. You did not let your authority and position in the hierarchy of our family keep you from being a primary parent and caregiver. Though you did not really have full understanding then of the effect it would have on our children’s emotional security, your presence have created an impermeable bond with them and have given them reason to feel safe. Your presence is leaving them with a deep wisdom as a father.
As I watch Jam and Cicc grow up to be confident and optimistic, and how they deal with stress and change positively-- I am relieved and beyond thankful. I know that when the chips are down, they will gravitate towards us, towards you. That even when things won’t always go their way and as they face trials, they will feel secure in knowing that you can shift things around and move mountains to be with them. Because you are around, I honor and thank you.
Your decision and dedication to become a better, intentional and godly leader of our family is by far the best gift you have given to me and to Jam and Cicc. Thank you for bearing with honor and delight, the responsibility of being our provider, protector and pastor. Through God's awesome grace and love, you have evolved in so many things and none could be more proud than I am. The Lord blessed me and our children to be witnesses to how He is moving your heart and in your life as He molds you to become the man He designed every husband, father, son and brother to be.
As I look around and see and hear stories of despair, loneliness, pain, rebellion, rage and dysfunctional relationships that stems from absent fathers and father-figures, I am truly thankful for your desire and heartfelt passion in being present in the lives of our son and daughter and in trying to be a better model of love, respect, integrity and forgiveness to them. Thank you for admitting your own mistakes and doing your best to veer away from such; for being forgiving of my mistakes as a mother and lovingly reminding me to steer away from these things; for trying your best and helping me do the same in accepting that Jam and Cicc are human and will certainly make mistakes too. Thank you for courageously stepping up, for doing all you can to win and know the hearts of our children, and for taking seriously your responsibility of molding the lives of our Jam and Cicc.
We are still works in progress but I am loving every bit of growth in you thus far and am immensely thankful for every breakthrough the Lord is causing in both our lives and in our life together as partners and as parents. I know you know now, that surrendering your life to the Lord and becoming a follower of Jesus is your greatest legacy to our son and daughter. We may not be rich materially but I know that this desire and determination to raise second-generation Christians with me shall be a legacy far more precious than any money or property we can leave and give them.
~~ I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God. I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will. I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. -- Courageous (Movie)
~~ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. -- Deuteronomy 6:6-9
~~Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. -- Ruth E. Renkel
~~The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. -- Proverbs 23:24
Day 5
We both are imperfect parents. We have had our share of blunders in the past and even until now, we slip. But I praise God for second chances. As we commit to become more involved and intentional this time around, I look back at our hits and misses as a father and a mother. We had misses and boy they were a lot. But despite these, I really thank the Lord for the hits that made lasting, significant and good impacts on Jam and Cicc. One of those hits was your presence. You were there in most of the milestones and made efforts not to miss out on the important things. You were there to teach them how to tie their shoelaces, you laughed and wrestled with them, sang with them, taught them how to play the guitar, played jokes on and with them, and made sure you were there beaming with pride as they receive awards. You did not let your authority and position in the hierarchy of our family keep you from being a primary parent and caregiver. Though you did not really have full understanding then of the effect it would have on our children’s emotional security, your presence have created an impermeable bond with them and have given them reason to feel safe. Your presence is leaving them with a deep wisdom as a father.
As I watch Jam and Cicc grow up to be confident and optimistic, and how they deal with stress and change positively-- I am relieved and beyond thankful. I know that when the chips are down, they will gravitate towards us, towards you. That even when things won’t always go their way and as they face trials, they will feel secure in knowing that you can shift things around and move mountains to be with them. Because you are around, I honor and thank you.
Your decision and dedication to become a better, intentional and godly leader of our family is by far the best gift you have given to me and to Jam and Cicc. Thank you for bearing with honor and delight, the responsibility of being our provider, protector and pastor. Through God's awesome grace and love, you have evolved in so many things and none could be more proud than I am. The Lord blessed me and our children to be witnesses to how He is moving your heart and in your life as He molds you to become the man He designed every husband, father, son and brother to be.
As I look around and see and hear stories of despair, loneliness, pain, rebellion, rage and dysfunctional relationships that stems from absent fathers and father-figures, I am truly thankful for your desire and heartfelt passion in being present in the lives of our son and daughter and in trying to be a better model of love, respect, integrity and forgiveness to them. Thank you for admitting your own mistakes and doing your best to veer away from such; for being forgiving of my mistakes as a mother and lovingly reminding me to steer away from these things; for trying your best and helping me do the same in accepting that Jam and Cicc are human and will certainly make mistakes too. Thank you for courageously stepping up, for doing all you can to win and know the hearts of our children, and for taking seriously your responsibility of molding the lives of our Jam and Cicc.
We are still works in progress but I am loving every bit of growth in you thus far and am immensely thankful for every breakthrough the Lord is causing in both our lives and in our life together as partners and as parents. I know you know now, that surrendering your life to the Lord and becoming a follower of Jesus is your greatest legacy to our son and daughter. We may not be rich materially but I know that this desire and determination to raise second-generation Christians with me shall be a legacy far more precious than any money or property we can leave and give them.
~~ I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God. I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will. I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. -- Courageous (Movie)
~~ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. -- Deuteronomy 6:6-9
~~Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. -- Ruth E. Renkel
~~The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. -- Proverbs 23:24