Celebrating God-given

This is my son First Born, his wife God-given, and their son, Forerunner.
Taken on God-given's birthday last July 10.



Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

- James 1:17

We celebrated God-given's birthday last July 10.

This birthday post is my tribute to her.

God-given is my first daughter-in-law. (Thanks to Diane, I now refer to her as my daughter-in-love!)

First Born and God-given were married on my birthday, March 27, last year.

As I had written in my birthday post last March 2008, Ernie and I were in Thailand on the day they were wed. First born informed us of their wedding plans only four days before the date! This was not how we would have wanted things to turn out, but the best thing we could do was to release our blessings on their marriage, and entrust this new family to our loving Creator.

I met God-given only once before, when Ernie and I were home for Christmas last December 2007.

The next thing we knew, First Born and God-given were getting married a few months after.

Ever since First Born was a little boy, I had already prayed for the girl who would someday become his wife. Of course, we had no idea who she was going to be. I just prayed from my heart, believing that God would send us someone of His choice.

When First Born was about four years old, I remember reading him the story of Samson. I explained to him that Samson was a man who was set apart for the purposes of God, and yet somehow, he did not keep true to that commitment, and he ended up marrying Delilah. This disobedient act caused Samson to lose his strength. It was only when he decided to repent, and return to God that he received back his anointing of strength. Even though he had become blind, he was determined to honor God at the end of his life, and through his last obedient act, he killed thousands of Philistines. He also died, but he died in honor, and God was glorified.

This story so struck First Born's young heart. He had that look in his eyes, which at that age was so clear, and so full of child like innocence. After a few minutes, I asked him what caused Samson to stray from God's plan.

His answer: "It was because he disobeyed God, Mama."

"And now, my son, what are you thinking of?" was my next question to him.

I will never forget his reply.

"Mama, when I grow up, I will not be like Samson who disobeyed God by marrying Delilah."

We then prayed, and as I put my little First Born son to sleep that night, I prayed another prayer.

"Dear God, honor the prayer of this little boy."


And now, years later, as I look back to that night 25 years ago, I can only say that God has indeed honored the prayer of my little boy.

He gave him a good wife, someone who is God-fearing, definitely God's choice for him and for our family.

Ernie and I got to know God-given only when we were in the Philippines for a two month summer break, May 1 to July 5 of 2008.

God-given was already pregnant at that time with her first baby. Ernie and I did praise God for giving us another daughter. She blended right into our family. There was not much adjusting that needed to be done. When we met her, it felt like we've always known her.

God given is easy to please, she is not demanding. She is hardworking. Having come from a big family, with eight other siblings, she knew how to relate to people.

I will never forget the difficult time she had when she went into labor for nearly 11 hours, only to give birth by Caesarean section at the end. She was really a heroine, as far as I can tell. I was with her till the very end. And she was almost on the verge of giving up, but never did. It was only when the baby was becoming distressed that the doctor decided to do the C-section on her.

I had tears in my eyes as she was being wheeled into the operating room. My heart was full of compassion for this my first born son's wife, for I have come to love her as my own daughter.

As a brand new mom, and one who was recovering from an operation, she stayed up nights and days trying to learn how to breast feed her new baby. How difficult it must have been for her.

I remember asking her when Matthew (Forerunner) was only two days old, "Are you excited about your new baby?"

Her honest reply was, "Mom, before the baby was born I was very excited, but now, I feel quite overwhelmed."

"Will I be able to cope with the tremendous responsibility of raising this baby?" was her unspoken question.

Of course I understood. What new mom will not be overwhelmed with a new life in her hands?

But now, nine months later, I must say that God-given has done very well. Even with a full time job, God-given and her husband have remained committed to their marriage, their family, their baby.

One special memory about God-given is forever etched in my heart -- the time that my dear husband had just passed away on November 23, 2008. It was early dawn and First Born had gone back home to pick up his wife and one month old son from home to bring them to the Emergency Room to say good-bye to their father. My friend Ruby was standing outside waiting for them to arrive, so she could hold the baby. When they came in, God-given quickly ran to where Ernie's body was. Worshiper and I, our dear pastor, Pastor Joe, and a few close friends of mine, were standing around the body. She just cried and cried and cried... She cried for a long time.

She told me later how much she had appreciated being welcomed and made to feel part of our family. She cried so hard because she really felt the deep loss of his presence, she felt that he left too soon. How she wished he could have stayed around longer, for her to get to know him more, and for their son to enjoy the love of a kind-hearted grandfather in his growing up years.

Ernie and I had just gotten back from Thailand six weeks before he died. We were finally back in the Philippines for good after having been in Thailand for a year where my husband worked as a consultant, setting up the International MBA program for Maejo University in Chiang Mai.

God-given's love for Ernie touches my heart each time I remember.

This is my birthday message for God-given:

Happy Birthday, God-given! I thank God for giving you to my son and to our family. You are truly a gift of love to us. I appreciate your kindness, your thoughtfulness, the way you work hard to be a good wife and mother. You think of the needs of your household and your family, even though I know you have a very demanding job. I love your heart that also seeks to grow closer to God.

This is a year of many firsts for you. There are still many lessons to learn the hard way, and I want you to know that as far as I am able, I will be there to support you and be a guiding light for your family.

May you never tire, and never give up, and never become weary. This life is a battle, and Satan will always find ways to wear us down, but I am praying for you and First Born. May you stay loyal and loving to each other, and always look to God as the source of all the provisions that you need for your journey through life.

May you hold on to God through all the seasons of your life. May you discover Him as the God of all your seasons.

I love you very much, and I will never forget that you are truly God-given, in answer to my prayer. Thank you for loving my son, and trying to understand him, and believing in his destiny. I know that the adjustment period is not easy, but thank you for trying, and for being steadfast and committed. Seeing this gives me so much joy.

I pray that you will continue to hold on to God, and get your strength from Him alone.

Here is a song that I know will speak to your heart. I dedicate it to you, and it is my prayer for you as well. May you discover Him as the Faithful One, the One who carries you in His everlasting arms.


Love always,
Mama

THROUGH IT ALL
by Hillsong

You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness

And I look to You
And I wait on You

I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all

You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness

And I look to You
And I wait on You

I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go

I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all

Everlasting Father, I love You
Ever living Savior, I love You

Everlasting Father, I love You
Ever living Savior, I love You

I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all