by Francis J. Kong
October 3rd, 2011
God is our Provider
and that we are not self-sufficient after all.
It is He who gives to His beloved even in their sleep.
God owns us – our work, our career,
our business and our family.
The skills we have and the time we spend
are only on loan to us.
Life is no longer an issue of ownership
but of management.
Scenes from an American ad:
Business bondage. This is what entangles most fathers. It comes in many forms. It could be an insatiable appetite to expand one’s business empire. Or it may just be a case of being overly dedicated to work. However you may want to put it, it is that which interferes with your relationship with God and family. Some call it the unbalanced life.
Living in today’s world offers countless choices that can satisfy us. But, sad to say, even if most offer only fleeting, momentary satisfaction, we still drive ourselves crazy in work just to attain them. This often results in a deeper emotional investment that robs us of a more meaningful life. In our desperate pursuit, we fall into a trap until we are in bondage to our work.
Psalm 127:1-2 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, tolling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves “(NIV)
I had once come to a point where I firmly believed that success belonged to those who gave all their time, all their strength, and all their dedication to work. This was what I exactly gave – my all. And then one day, it suddenly dawned on me that my children were growing up so fast and I hardly spent quality time with them. It scared me that I knew so little of them and, worse, that they knew so little of me.
Another deep realization came.
Let us break free from the bondage of our career. Jesus Christ has set us free. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. All includes our time and our business. Or, should I say, His time and His business.
What do you do to make family meals a regular occasion?
Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day proclaimed
The importance of the Filipino family meal has not escaped the notice of President
Benigno Aquino III, “One of the meaningful traditions of Filipinos is the common family meal where all members of the family are present to signify their unity and thanksgiving for God’s abundant blessings.” He noted, “Having a common family meal encourages parents to stay connected with their children and understand the challenges they face.”
In timely fashion, he further underlined its significance with Presidential Proclamation 326 dated January 26, 2012, which declared the 4th Monday of September of every year as “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” day in conjunction with the annual celebration of Family Week.
The President issued the declaration “to highlight and celebrate the value of families sharing meals together as a national tradition that should be observed annually and sustained by all Filipino families.”
