Alabaster Jar

Sunset over Antipolo, Rizal



But Mary kept all these things
and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

There isn't much time left before 2009 comes to a close.

As I sit at my prayer desk, the verse quoted above comes very strongly to my heart.

Of all the Bible characters that I admire, Mary will probably remain my all time favorite. She is the woman I want to be like.

To have a heart like Mary, this is what I desire.

She knew which things truly mattered. And she chose her treasures well.

It was not money, wealth, status... none of the material things to which so many in this world attach so much importance.

Mary treasured the secret things that God revealed to her. Because Mary lived a life of obedience, God saw that her heart had room enough for more of His secrets.

And the Bible says that she pondered all these things in her heart.


It has been a good year. I couldn't ask for more.

This is the year that I grieved for the death of my husband, but this is also the year that I saw my first grandson grow before my eyes.

This is the year that I got to enjoy knowing my first daughter in law, God-given, in a deeper way.

This is the year that I saw my three children rise up and assume many responsibilities...making me truly proud of them being the mother who gave birth to them and saw them through many seasons of their lives.

And this is the year that my second daughter in law, Chosen One, became an official member of our family.

This is the year I experienced God as my Provider, my Anchor, my Strength, my Guiding Light.

Yes, God has been good to me.

Nevertheless the battle has been real, and without going into details, I have seen how the Enemy tried to gain access to my family's heart.


Sometimes the deepest wounds are those inflicted by people closest to your heart...




My son, Worshiper, has the heart of... a worshiper. That is his name. That is his job description.

But on December 28, the morning of his wedding, this worshiper's heart was broken. And it pained my heart so.

We were having our family photo session. We were all smiling. More than anything else, I wanted my son to be happy. But in my heart, I could feel his pain.

He spoke to no one else but me about it. This son of mine has a soft heart, a merciful heart. An obedient heart. And his pain became my pain.

"How can I comfort my son on this very special day?" I asked my heavenly Father. "Please Father, help me say the right words to him, special words of love and blessing that could reverse the damage, and bring even just a small measure of healing, to his heart."

Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed my heart. As we walked together up to the hotel room to change into our formal attires to be worn for his wedding, I held his hand and spoke quietly to him.

"Count it all joy, my son. Let nothing steal your joy on this very special day. I've learned many things the hard way. Don't wait to be 56 years old before you can learn the things I have learned. You can learn them now. Choose what really matters, and hold on to that. Choose joy today, my son. Choose grace. Walk the path of forgiveness. Make the choice."

I felt the Spirit of peace. And I know my words sank in.

It was a Spirit filled moment. It changed the spiritual atmosphere around us.

I know my son's wedding day became even more beautiful because of what transpired within his heart that morning.

My life, my heart, is an alabaster jar... it is precious but I will not hold on to it.


I break it at your feet, dear Jesus.


Broken and spilled out.


May my life be as broken bread and poured out wine...in obedience to your call. Living for what really matters.


I prayed most of that day for my son. Touch my son Worshiper's heart, and make it like the alabaster jar that was broken at your feet. Make this day, his wedding day, a day that will truly honor and give glory to You alone.

And God heard the prayer of my heart.

I share this only because it is a beautiful part of my family history.

As a mother, I am called to be the"family remembrancer," the one who remembers, the one who points out the signposts.

I am also the gatekeeper, the watchman who stands guard, the priest who intercedes, and who holds the cup of God's healing oil.

May I be found faithful.

As the year ends, I thank God for lessons learned the painful way...for the many seasons I've been through: seasons of thanksgiving...of growing...of maturing...of letting go.

What a lovely ending to this year! Offering to God a heart ready and open to face another year. To learn new lessons. To pour out the bitter waters. To tear up the list and start afresh. Make room for what is noble and kind and true. Become a channel of heaven's peace.

My son's wedding was a beautiful testimony to God's grace. Our family received many precious gifts, both tangible and intangible.

All are deeply appreciated. But to God alone be the glory.




I'm sharing below some of the beautiful pictures taken on the day Worshiper and Chosen One were married. (Note: Click on photo to enlarge.)



A few informal shots before we changed into our formal attires:














The groom and his mother:



A few snapshots of warm family moments before the wedding begins:

me, Sue, her daughter Tisha, and Tisha's daughter Hannah



Obedient One and her Aunt Lei

My close friends who came all the way from Bacolod City and the USA for the wedding:
William, Ruby, Jing, Melanie (from the USA), Miriam, Tony

An emotional moment: Daniel fighting tears as he gives his sister a hug, just before the bridal march.

Beautiful shots of the hilltop venue for the wedding ceremony, overlooking the city:








The entourage marching in:

First Born, the best man

The groom, Worshiper, and his mother

Toby, bearer of coins

Caleb, Bible bearer

Matthew, at one year and two months, bearer of the wedding rings. We were all proud of him! He really did a good job!

Joash, junior groomsman, and Hannah, junior bridesmaid

Here comes the bride!

Jewish Prayer Shawl (tallit) and cord ceremony






Another emotional moment: Worshiper can't hold back his tears as he blessed me and thanked me and his father for all we've done for him. (His groomsmen were obviously enjoying it!)

Madorra, Chosen One, Worshiper, Daniel

First Born, God given and Matthew, Chosen One, Worshiper, me, Obedient One

Perfect attendance: Ernie's two sisters and their families came all the way from Bacolod. This really made our day extra special!

Front Row: Jeff and Toby, JV, First Born Son, Joash, Caleb, Kela and Rhea
Second Row: God Given and Matthew, Justin, Tisha, Hannah, Sue, Vito, Chosen One and Worshiper, me, Leila, Obedient One, Jay, Vince, Tony

The reception

The bridal canopy

Wedding pictures by Doods Tanabe here.

Wedding pictures by Jorem and Sheila Catilo here.


This is the song I offer to God as the year 2009 ends!

Alabaster Jar
(Christ for the Nations Institute)

This alabaster jar
is all I have of worth
I break it at Your feet, Lord
It's less than You deserve
You're far more beautiful
More precious than the oil
The sum of my desires
and the fullness of my joy


Like You spilled Your blood,
I spill my heart as an offering to my King


Here I am, take me
As an offering
Here I am, giving every heartbeat
For Your glory take me


The time that I have left
is all I have of worth
I lay it at Your feet, Lord
It's less than You deserve
And though I've little strength
And though my days are few,You gave Your life for me
So, I will live my life for You


Worthy, Worthy
You are worthy
Worthy is the Lord