Peek-a-boo

I feel that God has been putting me and my husband in suspense because of the concerns we’ve been facing these past months.  We have been praying for three major concerns since we made the leap of faith to obey the Lord.  Just like in the past, God inspired me during my times of prayer to meditate on His Words and act on them out of obedience.  I shared the inspiration with my husband and he affirmed God’s promptings to me with his support.

I had been praying fervently for these concerns especially yesterday when it dawned on me that God might answer our prayers at the eleventh hour or at the last minute.  It can be unsettling; but as I recall the countless times that He has delivered me and my family from many troubling situations, peace rested in my soul once more. 

This morning, God spoke to me through a brother in the faith and a Christian song he shared with me entitled While I’m Waiting by John Waller from the movie Fireproof.  I have seen the movie Fireproof but this song did not strike me then.  Today, as I listen to the song and meditate on the lyrics, my heart can’t help but jump for joy.  The song sums up what I’m currently going through.  It also tells what I’m doing while I’m waiting for God to answer my prayers.

As I write this reflection now, God reminds me of my baby Mateo and one of the games he likes to play – peek-a-boo.  God reminds me through this simple game that there is something wonderful waiting for me after the veil of suspense is lifted.  He reminded me of Mateo’s beautiful smile every time we play this game and I say “boo” after I show him my face.  Sometimes, he not only smiles, he even giggles with delight as he sees my face again.  God reminds me through this game with my baby that every time He puts me or my family in suspense, it’s like we are playing peek-a-boo with Him.  He gives us a peek of the wonderful things He has in store for us.  He covers or hides it for a while.  Then, He surprises us again by showing His face.  And when we recognize God in our circumstances again, we smile and sometimes cry out of joy and relief. 

I’m excited to see God’s face and His surprise.  This new song I learned and new insight I have strengthens my commitment to serve and worship God even as I wait in suspense.  It gives my heart not only peace but excitement as well as I wait in joyful anticipation for God to lift His veil.  Suddenly, the simple game of peek-a-boo has new meaning to me. 

Big Carrot and Baby Carrot Painting

First art work together of Yanthy and Mateo.

Yesterday marked Yanthy and Mateo’s first art work together. Since it was also Mateo’s first time to eat carrots, I thought of doing this art activity with both of them. It’s very simple.

First, I showed Yanthy how to come up with the color orange. I showed him that by mixing the paints red and yellow, we will have an orange paint. It’s amusing even to me as the red and yellow paints fused to become orange. This was not only an art activity but a science activity as well.

After that, I painted one of Yanthy’s feet with the orange paint and asked him to step on the bond paper. To make sure that most of the paint on his foot would transfer to the paper, we counted up to 20 before I asked him to lift his foot. So, we got to practice counting, too.

Then, it’s Mateo’s turn. While our helper was cleaning Yanthy’s foot and removing the paint, I painted Mateo’s foot orange. I then pressed the bond paper (with a magazine to support it at the back) on Mateo’s foot. Viola! There is now a baby carrot beside Yanthy’s big carrot.

For the leaves, I asked Yanthy what finger he would like to use to paint the leaves on his big carrot. He chose his index finger. I helped him dip it on green paint and guided his finger until he has finished putting leaves on his carrot.

It’s Mateo’s turn again. I painted Mateo’s big toe instead of his finger for the leaves on his baby carrots because Mateo like to suck his fingers. I wanted to be safe so no finger painting yet for him. After pressing his big toe thrice, we finished our simple carrot art activity.

I was very happy to have an activity where both Mateo and Yanthy can join. It may be simple but it gave all three of us an opportunity to bond together especially the brothers. The bonus treat is that with this art work, I was able to document Mateo’s foot print on his sixth month and compare it side by side with his big brother’s who is now three and a half. This activity encourages me to think of more activities we can do together in the future to help strengthen the bond between my sons. I pray that God would provide me with plenty of inspiration as we go along.

Tiptoe to Put Placemats

Crochet placemat made by my mom.

I remember when my eldest son was still a toddler and he could hardly reach our dining table. He would tiptoe just to help me put our placemats on our table. He’s such a sweet and helpful little boy.

As I lovingly recalled those times, I asked God why He reminded me of them. What lesson does He want me to learn?

This was what He taught me: A lot of times, you need to stretch yourself to achieve your goals or fulfill your dreams. Do not be intimidated if right now they seem to be beyond your reach. Learn from the example of your son who tiptoed to reach your dining table and put your placemats. What “dining table” are you trying to reach now? What “placemat” are you trying to put in place? What kind of stretching is required of you now to achieve your goal or dream?

Wow! What powerful insight and lesson from a seemingly simple act! And yet, they are so true especially to me at this time of my life. I feel that God is really stretching me and pushing me out of my comfort zone. With this new insight, He is encouraging me again to go beyond my perceived limits about myself and my abilities.

How about you, my dear Mommy friend? Is God also asking you to “tiptoe” now? Do you feel intimidated or afraid because that “dining table” seems too high? Come, join me. Let us lift our little hands to the Father and ask for grace so we could stretch our selves some more. Let us not give up on “putting our placemats.” God says to us, “Just keep trying. Don’t lose heart. You can do it! Stretch some more and soon you’ll put it in place.”

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9

Mommy TG