I’ll be celebrating my birthday very soon but to be perfectly honest with you, I’m not so worked up about it. Now, don’t get me wrong — I’m the type of person who deems occasions like these special, but when it’s focused on me, I’m not so particular about being pampered or getting what I want. That’s just me. I’ve been this way for a long time, I think.
Now that I’m a mom of three precious God-given blessings though, I find myself making wishes and sending out prayers in anticipation of my birthday — not for me, but for my children. (But please, don’t be fooled into thinking that I’m so selfless that way, because really, I’m not! *winks*)
So what exactly is my birthday wish for my children?
Nothing fancy really. But I’m sure most, if not all, the moms out there would agree with me on at least one of the “components” of my wish.
On my birthday, I wish…
…that my children will grow up to know, love and serve God.
…that in knowing, loving and serving God, my children will learn to love and serve others.
…that my children will discover what they’re truly meant to do in this world, and that my husband and I will be able to help them discover it.
…that even if my children take a long time to discover what they’re truly meant to do in this world, they will enjoy the journey that will lead to their discovery.
…that my children will know how to survive the trials and face the temptations and brave the tempests that life will bring.
…that my children will also help others survive the trials and face the temptations and brave the tempests that life will bring.
…that my children will know what it means to be truly loved and unconditionally cherished.
…that my children will know how to truly love and unconditionally cherish others.
…that my children will know how to adapt to the ever-changing workings of the world, yet be firm in their faith and convictions.
…that my children will know what true social justice is all about, and that they will be a voice for the voiceless, especially the unborn and the victims of horrible crimes like child sex trafficking.
…that my children will know that money and material riches do not define a person, but character, kindness and compassion do.
…that my children will know that even if money and material riches do not define a person, there’s nothing wrong with aspiring to be rich — as long as your ultimate purpose is to help and bless others.
…that my children will be healthy in all aspects — physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, financially.
…that my children will not be “burdened” by us — their parents — in our old age, which is why my husband and I believe that we need to be more frugal, save for the future and invest in our retirement.
…that my children, when they are grown, will look back on their childhood — our years of mission in Timor Leste and our life in the Philippines (and maybe elsewhere, too, you never know, right?) — and only have fond memories.
…that our decision to homeschool them will only bring blessings and opportunities, and lead them to the path that is meant for them.
Ultimately, my wish for my children is that despite my faults, imperfections and failures as a mother (and oh, they are so, so, so many!), they will still turn out all right (insert nervous laughter here), and will live blessed lives, focused on being truly rich in all that matters.
How about you? If you could wish for anything on your birthday — anything at all — what would it be? Come share in the comments!
My only wish is for PEACE – my own (peace of Mind and Spirit), for my family (creating a home that is a peaceful haven for everyone who enters it), for my community (by encouraging peaceful thoughts and peaceful actions) and in so doing, sending ripples of peace around the world – person to person.
My intent is to spread PEACE and LOVE as far and as wide as I possibly can. I’m going to start by sharing the following:
There are 10 days until Peace Day. I thought it would be useful and supportive to give you a few ideas for ways in which you can make a massive difference on Peace Day 21 September, manifesting peace in our world and supporting the peace process. Now more than ever our world needs every single one of us to stand together.
So if you could please:
1. Mark Peace Day Saturday 21 September and tell us your plans
2. Join us on Facebook and ask all of your networks to do the same
3. Get the PeaceCode and put our 24-Hour Global Broadcast on your website, blog or Facebook page
4. Watch the 24-Hour Global Broadcast – at any point on 21 September
So here’s to 21 September. Please, please get involved. It is individuals that continue to make Peace Day a success; please be one of them. It’s a collective effort. You can help make the message of Peace Day the loudest message the world will hear on 21 September 2013!
Hi Simona,
Thank you for sharing your wish for PEACE. You’re right — now, MORE thane ever, we need to stand together for peace! You can count me in — I’ll do what I can to make Peace Day a success! Blessings to you and yours!
Thank you! I really believe that we CAN make a difference!! All my love and best wishes, Simona xoxo
Hi Tina,
So interesting to read your perspective! I would love to know more about the ways in which we all differ in our parenting while striving for the same goal — raising good world citizens!
As for my wish, it would be for good health and then we’d take the rest from there! lol
Jen 🙂
Hi Jen,
Isn’t it wonderful how motherhood unites us all in one way or another? I do realize that my parenting style and goals may be different from other parents’ but yes, I believe that most of us wish to raise good world citizens! 🙂
Oh, and good health is definitely an important thing to wish for! 🙂
Thanks again for the awesome work you put into WMB! 🙂
Tina
Always great to read what other people hope and dream for their children, Tina!
My top 5 wishes for my boys are:
1. Deeply knowing they are loved and have the capacity for love, in all their close relationships.
2. A sense of themselves and peace with that knowing
3. Maturity not sophistication.
4. Achieving in a job/career that excites them and earns them more than enough money to support themselves and their families.
5. Good health.
Hi Karyn
Love your top 5 wishes for your boys! 🙂 Thanks for sharing them!
Happy almost birthday Tina! I love your list! it’s amazing how, no matter where we are in the world, and what stage we are, we (as mothers) strive for the same thing in our children. 🙂 My birthday wish is the same each year, for my family to be healthy and happy – the rest will grow from there.
Great list Tina – your kids are lucky to have a mom wishing such beautiful things for them. Hope all those birthday wishes come true!