Monday, November 14, 2011

IT TAKES A WHOLE VILLAGE….


An old proverb says that it takes a whole village to raise a child, unfortunately for the past two year, in our village there have only been my husband and I.  I’ve been saddened by this situation from time to time but it always comes down to the fact that my kids are blessed to be surrounded by both loving parents.  In a world where 1/3 of our children live only with one parent, we’re more than blessed and completely grateful to God.  I, myself, come from a dysfunctional family.  My dad left for a better job opportunity when I was 8 and didn’t see him again until I was 15.  

As parents, God has been there for us every step of the way, but as more often than not, we tend to rely more on the visible only to be flat face disappointed.  This past year has been specially challenging for us as we moved into our own place far away from friends and family. We were excited at first until finding babysitters became an issued.  So many times I’ve gotten frustrated by the inability to go out on a date with my husband, or simply going to the store without having to drag our kids along.  No biggies, right? Or not?  Are my kids missing out in some major spoiling, indulging and pampering?  Do my kids ever crave the attentions of other adults?  

Just yesterday, as we’re driving back home from church, my 3 year old baby girl, tells me that she has a new uncle and that his name is Uncle Robert.  Robert, who is a member of our new church and his wife have been so warmhearted.  My Debbie was so excited about it that it broke my heart as I felt so helpless.  This is not the first time that she tries to recruit others to be part of her village.  A couple of months ago, coincidentally, she was calling Robert’s mother in-law “grandma.”  She’s also constantly seeking our pastor’s wife approval by dressing in her favorite color: purple.  And then, there is also my son.  Just this past Saturday, he was trying so hard to get our pastor’s attention to let him know that he had made it to the principal’s honor roll on his first trimester in 1st grade.

As hurtful as it sounds, my kids do crave for other people's attention.  I now do see that it does take a village to raise a child and in lack thereof, I can only turn to God for help.   My prayer request is for our Lord to provide such village filled with honest, loving, caring people of God.  

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Matthew 7:7


1 comment:

  1. This is darling Xiomi. You wrote a great piece. We hold your family so dear to us. We look forward to the many memories to make with your precious family. And your kids can call us anything they want. By the way, when can we have a play date with Xiomi and a double date with you and Javi? Love you all. The Taracena's.

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