We had a dinner one weekend in my Sister-in-law's home, a very nice conducive place where we always relax, hang out and have fun during weekends with the whole family. We normally go to movies, listen to music, go to malls, eat out, have coffee, Internet, most of all chat and share. It's fun, really, specially the movie part, oh geez, Joanne and I seems not getting tired of doing a movie marathon, even in her own place besides, she has her own home theater and a DVD set fit for a king!
We love doing this during weekends, especially when our car was not yet sold, we can go anytime we want. My kids would just play there with any kinds of games, name it you'll have it. Joanne is a smart and a cheerful woman. She's into business, food business. Loves to cook Mediterranean, Chinese or Italian, and most of all loves to eat, just like me. I have learned most of my salad recipes from her actually. Her husband, my husband's brother works for Joanne's father. They have their own construction company and ropes manufacturing. His father loves big houses and so Joanne's house is pretty big. We normally cook our meals when we're there while my husband and her husband spends time having fun too with some of their friends.
One time Sasha, her daughter had guests one afternoon, her classmates actually while we were also there. We just finished preparing dinner which was crispy pork leg, veggies, fish and salad. She was with another friend. They played in the play room before eating their dinner together with Martha, my daughter. My daughter's pretty way ahead of them since she's 10 and the gals were just about 5 or 6 of age. The special guest is a pretty petite girl at about 5 years of age, was actually cute, adorable and has mestiza (Spanish) features. She's got long hair, has her own car and a driver and a very caring nanny devoted only for her. She seemed very confident, chin up and snobbish.
When we finally all get to the dining area for our dinner, her nanny started pouring out juice for her, arranged her plate, put some white rice on it and asked her what food she likes besides rice. My sister-in-law asked her of course being the guest of the house if she likes the special food she served which is the crispy pork leg and she remarked, "I hate that!" "Oh no...", I said. "What a bratty little girl..." How could she say such a cruel remark? I stared at her, actually a bit pissed and said, "That's not so nice little girl. Never ever say hate, just say you don't like, because hate is such a strong word to say." She just looked at me with no reactions. When my daughter finally showed up with Sasha, she asked the other girl, "What do you like? I'm gonna get you a plate and your food." I asked Martha, "How come you're only asking her how 'bout the other girl?" Martha answered, "Mom I'm gonna serve her with food because she's kind. That other girl isn't, she actually beat my head with a toy so I won't help her serve her food." The bratty girl just grinned like a dog, took out her cellular phone and started to text. "Wow, what a nice cell phone you have there? You already have a cell phone?" She answered snootily, "Yeah! My mom gave this to me and you know what? I'm a model of Barbie!" Wow, pretty conceited huh!
I love kids very much. In fact, I believe God calls me to have my own Orphanage. But after this has happened, I realized that I only love kids who are in need of love, caring and parents who can give them they need. Children who are actually orphans, that's why an orphanage must be fulfilled, and I believe God for this. Everytime I see street children who are sleeping in the stairway of trains and beside the busy streets, my heart pours out to them. Specially when I see babies who are sleeping everywhere without their mothers. Tears would well up in my eyes oftentimes. What if that's my baby? What if my baby would sleep down the street on a cold night without a bed and a blanket or without me to keep him warm? I couldn't stand this thought in fact I feel that I'd die if this happens. I feel so emotional when it comes to children's care and welfare.
I feel furious when I see spoiled little brats whining about their food, their clothes and demands for more toys. My niece would be so grumpy everytime she wakes up from her afternoon nap screaming out loud for her immediate pancakes. But then I realize, kids are kids, they don't know yet the true meaning of patience and consideration. In fact most kids seem to be self-centered, some may even be worse if they are selfish and stubborn. I was once a kid too. I just didn't get most of the life's perks when I was younger. I never ate hotdogs, chocolates and ice cream! Though I was well loved by my Mother, Grandma & Grandpa in my mother's side. That's why I feel kind of enraged with bratty kids. Besides, Jesus said, "What sorrows await you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now." (Luke 6:24, NLT) But I realized that giving love to children must be unconditional. I thought that my daughter served food only to the kind girl while she didn't with the other just because she felt she wasn't kind to her. And this isn't right when you're a Christian. God wants us to love unconditionally. God also let me realize that if my calling is for Children, then I must learn how to love them without reservations, stubborn or naughty, it doesn't really matter.
God has also showed me this, "32...Do you think you deserve credit merely for loving those who love you...? 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, is that so wonderful?" (Luke 6:32-33, NLT) My God is always right. These little children are very susceptible. They're vulnerable and gentle but loves like no other. Never doubts, very trusting and even more faithful. As for bratty kids, let their own parents together with God's grace mold them into the kind of person we want them to be. That's the parents job anyway, to raise their children into God fearing people. After all, they're still kids, they deserve to be young and naive. God also said, "...Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Luke 15:16, NIV)
I love my children without conditions and I want also to love and care for as many children as possible. I feel that God wants more mothers like me to care for those without mothers, to nurture them, care for them and nurse babies if necessary. As Christians, we should no longer be self-absorbed, seeking people to love our own children if we can't even care for children who are not ours.
By: Maya Guzman Santos
