by Tini Tadeo-Castillo
I have been amiss in my quality time with God as the enemy made me busy with a particular ministry this December yet God had been faithful through it all. Why? I still cannot comprehend but what I know is He is a generous one who keeps giving lavishly to His children. When my husband said to let go of a financial loss this Christmas, he spoke to me with a certainty that God will replace it exceedingly beyond my imagination. I never should've doubted that yet I struggled thinking I could've bought and given more gifts had I gotten that money. Yet, my husband spoke with conviction as he told me to surrender it to God and I was compelled to submit albeit with still small voices of doubt. Action, as Paster Jess Lantin said, before emotion.
Why am I sharing this? There is something I learned over this Christmas season -- to value the HEART of my children, the WISDOM of my husband and the JOY, HARMONY and UNITY of my family more than getting money, receiving gifts or giving ones more than we can afford.
It is the first Christmas when we weren't able to give gifts to everyone on our list and that includes our kids. I could not help but think of that financial breakthrough I was expecting this Christmas. But guess what? God taught me an important lesson and affirmed the wisdom of listening to my husband. We all still managed to get our heart's desires through the generosity of people who love us/them dearly despite not being able give back equally. Case in point, that white and navy blue polo shirt my son wanted, the power bank and new charger he needed, the new basketball shoes (two pairs in fact!) my daughter has been dreaming about, the expensive Bible I have secretly been coveting and that family photo frame I have been thinking of getting, the organizer I truly needed for my ever-chaotic bag and the purple LC handbag I desired but can't afford, the TV plus my husband had been contemplating on buying a few weeks back as we have not had Cable TV for ages (cost-cutting measures).
The point is God honored our desire to stick within our means as we built a margin on what we could afford and what we couldn't, what we needed vs what we wanted, giving within our means and with love and joy. God said I didn't need more money than I already have, no matter how little or big was in my pocket. His gift was not always monetary but what He gave was so much more than I imagined. The heart of my children are in place as they were gracious to accept what we could give them this season—not a new pair of kicks or set of clothes or the latest gadget but a home filled with love, joy and unity. My husband is plugged to God more than he has ever been and leads us with gained wisdom than I ever had. The peace and harmony my family enjoys, the imperfect yet genuine love my husband and I share, the friendships and accountabilities essential to my spiritual growth, the relationship I have with my Savior--it all begs me to ask the question: Why in the world would I still desire anything else this Christmas when clearly I have all God desires for me? If I don't have it, I don't need it.
“Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred. ~ Proverbs 15:17
I have been amiss in my quality time with God as the enemy made me busy with a particular ministry this December yet God had been faithful through it all. Why? I still cannot comprehend but what I know is He is a generous one who keeps giving lavishly to His children. When my husband said to let go of a financial loss this Christmas, he spoke to me with a certainty that God will replace it exceedingly beyond my imagination. I never should've doubted that yet I struggled thinking I could've bought and given more gifts had I gotten that money. Yet, my husband spoke with conviction as he told me to surrender it to God and I was compelled to submit albeit with still small voices of doubt. Action, as Paster Jess Lantin said, before emotion.
Why am I sharing this? There is something I learned over this Christmas season -- to value the HEART of my children, the WISDOM of my husband and the JOY, HARMONY and UNITY of my family more than getting money, receiving gifts or giving ones more than we can afford.
It is the first Christmas when we weren't able to give gifts to everyone on our list and that includes our kids. I could not help but think of that financial breakthrough I was expecting this Christmas. But guess what? God taught me an important lesson and affirmed the wisdom of listening to my husband. We all still managed to get our heart's desires through the generosity of people who love us/them dearly despite not being able give back equally. Case in point, that white and navy blue polo shirt my son wanted, the power bank and new charger he needed, the new basketball shoes (two pairs in fact!) my daughter has been dreaming about, the expensive Bible I have secretly been coveting and that family photo frame I have been thinking of getting, the organizer I truly needed for my ever-chaotic bag and the purple LC handbag I desired but can't afford, the TV plus my husband had been contemplating on buying a few weeks back as we have not had Cable TV for ages (cost-cutting measures).
The point is God honored our desire to stick within our means as we built a margin on what we could afford and what we couldn't, what we needed vs what we wanted, giving within our means and with love and joy. God said I didn't need more money than I already have, no matter how little or big was in my pocket. His gift was not always monetary but what He gave was so much more than I imagined. The heart of my children are in place as they were gracious to accept what we could give them this season—not a new pair of kicks or set of clothes or the latest gadget but a home filled with love, joy and unity. My husband is plugged to God more than he has ever been and leads us with gained wisdom than I ever had. The peace and harmony my family enjoys, the imperfect yet genuine love my husband and I share, the friendships and accountabilities essential to my spiritual growth, the relationship I have with my Savior--it all begs me to ask the question: Why in the world would I still desire anything else this Christmas when clearly I have all God desires for me? If I don't have it, I don't need it.
“Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred. ~ Proverbs 15:17