The Pamasko Paradigm [25 Dec 2009|08:00am] _radicalgirl_ Let me give a warning to those who intend to get me as a ninang to their little kids: I HATE it when I'm required to give gifts. I do not appreciate being reminded that I should be giving aguinaldos during this time of the year. It's not because I don't have the money or that I dislike giving presents. I do love giving gifts to people. I just don't like it when they require me to do so, especially when I'm "suppose" to give an aguinaldo to a little kid who might grow up thinking that it is my obligation to give him presents. My grandfather even added, "Ang inaanak ay pinapapunta sa mga ninong at ninang para magmano, hindi para humingi ng aguinaldo." ("A godchild visits his godparents to pay respects, not to ask for presents.") Secondly, I hate this pamasko paradigm because giving away presents is not what a godmother is supposed to do. Rather, godparents have the obligation to help raise children by giving them wise counsel. I don't think I'm helping a child to become a responsible citizen by giving him dole-outs as that will only teach him to beg for things instead of making him learn how to acquire them on his own. For me, the pamasko paradigm is a symbol of our present mendicant culture, something that any good ninong or ninang would not want their godchild to imbibe. post comment

My Reason for This Season [24 Dec 2009|05:07pm] _radicalgirl_ People have been posting on Facebook that we should all remember the REAL REASON for this season amidst all the partying, carolling and frantic shopping for Christmas presents. Yes, we celebrate Christmas because the Lord Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins. That truth now has a different meaning for me. You see, I came to know Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was only eight years old (I thank Him for that!). So I don't have that "I-was-a-cannibal-before-I-met-the Lord" kind of testimony. And I praise Him that I have not yet so horribly backslidden that I got pregnant or started doing drugs. Still, there resides in a goody-goody Christian girl a kind of sinful attitude that is more subtle but just as deadly as living a double life. When you seem to be clean on the outside, there is often a lot of pride and self-righteousness about what you perceive to be your own ability to live up to a standard of good conduct. Then there's envy, fear, the desire to be accepted by the crowd which can push you to trample down your convictions. We don't get so scandalized by such issues but they are just as carnal. Consequently, we end up doing certain things in our Christian walk that breaks God's heart though we may not see it that way because the deeds are not outrightly despicable. And that's what this particular Christmas means to me. I thank You Lord for forgiving me for the sins that I have just said. I am sorry for thinking only of myself at the expense of other people's welfare. Please forgive me for those times when I just wanted to get by instead of giving my best for You. I'm sorry for endlessly comparing myself with others and wanting to be on top all the time. I thank You Heavenly Father for giving me the freedom to pursue Your calling for my life. Thank You Lord for setting me free to be myself again (You know, those aspects of me that are simply part of the unique way that you made me and not sinful in themselves). Thank You for rescuing me from having to live up to man-made standards of "godliness". And thank You so much for the people whom You have placed in my life to mold me --- my family, my church Bread of Life, my Christian friends who belong to other churches, my friends who do not share my faith, my patients, my patients' parents, my co-workers and even those who do not like me. If You hadn't made them a part of my life, my Christianity would have been all just a theory. There are so many other things that I should be grateful for. You know they far outnumber the stars. But if there is one thing that You taught me this year, it would be FREEDOM and DYING to oneself so that I will find life. Truly, I am the reason why You came and gave everything that You could give. post comment

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