“This is an official entry to Dainty Mom’s “Write your Mommy Mission Statement” contest.”
This is another post inspired by my friend Martine of Dainty Mom, the previous one being part of a meme. Though I have been thinking about writing this for a while now, even before Martine announced her pre-birthday blog contest. So, taking advantage of this relatively work-free weekend and the caffeine pumping through my veins from hubby’s sweet pasalubong of hot mocha from 7-11, I’m going to attempt to write my own mommy mission statement.
But first, why should one do so? Why should one have a “vision and mission” even when it comes to something like parenthood/motherhood?
To put it simply:
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| Proverbs 29: 18. (Photo from wbyg.com) |
I believe the same applies to one’s life, and one’s family, and one’s children.
If you don’t know where you’re headed or where you want to go, then you will “perish.” And so will the people who you are responsible for. If you’re a parent, then you’re responsible for your kids.
So I’ll start of with this statement: I believe I am called to be a “parent for eternal life.”
As a former single missionary to the youth, I used to cite Acts 20: 24 as my personal “mission statement”:
“Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.” (New American Bible)
Now that I am a mom though, I have shifted to my current (and our family’s) life verses (which are also the verses behind this blog):
“So do not worry and say, `What are we to eat?’ or `What are we to drink?’ or `What are we to wear?’
All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6: 31-33)
These verses have helped me put my life in perspective, and also provide the backbone for my mommy mission statement below:
1. I am a child first. As you may have read from my “About Me” page, I say I am “truly rich” because my Father is King. I will strive not to forget to be God’s child first so that I can be the best wife for my husband and best mother for my kids.
2. I am a wife before I am a mother. I forget this a lot of times and so by writing this mission statement I also renew my commitment to be more loving, kind, patient and supportive of my husband. I will do my best to balance my time so that we will grow old together with wonderful memories and lots of perfect moments.
3. I am a mother to two amazing kids – God’s gifts of life to us. I have failed my kids many, many times but I hope that more than those bad moments, they will remember how much I and their Papa love, accept, appreciate and cherish them. I will strive to raise them as God-loving, responsible, faithful persons, by God’s grace and mercy. I will be more intentional with what I think, say and do, especially for their sake – including planning our meals, handling our finances, and choosing our entertainment. For now, I believe that homeschooling them is also part of this mission.
4. I am called to be a communicator of God’s love. I borrow this term from Bo Sanchez. It has taken me more than thirty years to discover this (31 to be exact, yes, that’s how old I am now!). I am actually a licensed (but non-practicing) Physical Therapist from one of the country’s top universities (ok, I’m biased!). But my “first love” has always been writing.
And now, a little over 10 years since I graduated from college, I am making a living (and hopefully, inspiring people along the way!) through writing and editing (and blogging – though not so much! Haha!). More than earning for my family, I will write / use my communication skills to glorify God. Of course, if I’ll be able to score big financially while I’m at it, this would be a wonderful bonus-blessing! 😉
This mission statement is subject to review and updating of course. I know that God will continue to reveal more of His plan for my life and my family as time passes. One thing’s for sure though, as a Catholic wife, mom and writer, I will do my darndest to live out the mission that God has given me, by His grace.
*I’ve exceeded the 600-word limit Martine set in her blog contest criteria, so I don’t know if I still qualify for the contest. Hehe! Nonetheless, I’m grateful to Dainty Mom for inspiring me to write this. So what are YOU waiting for? Go write your own mission statement now! 😉 Feel free to share a link to it in the comments section below or post a link on my blog’s Facebook page . I’d love to read it!
