If I were to pin down what brings me the most joy as a mom, this is what it would be: seeing my child (children) know and love Jesus and live for Him. That is not just my greatest joy, but it is my greatest responsibility too as a mother/parent.

I am in a position to teach Andi and my future kids about Jesus, to show them what it means to live a life pleasing to God, to show them their need for a Savior, to lead them closer to Him.

The first prayer that I have heard Andi say was : “Bless Daddy, bless Mommy, bless Andi, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The funniest prayer so far that she said was this: “Lord, please bless Jesus, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Last Wednesday night, JA and I were praying with Andi before we went to sleep. I asked Andi after we prayed: “Sweetheart, do you want to pray? Your turn?” She began praying: “Lord, thank you, played with the horse, ride the horse…. Thank you Daddy, thank you Mommy, in Jesus’ name, Amen!” She rode the carousel that afternoon, and she loved it!  That same morning she was watching Backyardigans and she saw them riding horses and she told me: ” Mommy, ride the horse later?” I said maybe we can go later. I then encouraged her to pray for it. And it was wonderful seeing her pray and thanking God for her “horse ride” at the end of the day.

She does the same thing whenever she hears the sound of the airplane at home. I tell her, “Come, let’s pray that we get to ride the airplane soon.” Then we pray together: “Lord, please make Andi, Daddy and Mommy ride the airplane soon.” And when we did ride the airplane when we went to Bohol, I reminded her that we prayed about it and God answered our prayer.

I want to teach her to pray at all times for all things (big and small). After all, our God is a big God and can answer the biggest prayers, and our God is a God who is concerned even about the smallest details of our lives.

I want her to know that God delights whenever she communicates with Him and that He is pleased whenever she puts her trust in Him.

I desire to see her live for God, to obey and follow Him all the days of her life.

I am praying that she will have a personal relationship with Jesus. After all, if she has Him, she will have everything that she will ever need and want.

That is my hope, my goal, my prayer, my faith for Andi and my future children. And I take the responsibility given to me seriously. And seeing her pray, seeing the fruit of what I try to instill in her everyday, and seeing the answers to my prayers for her (even in the tiniest and simplest ways that she shows it) gives me the greatest joy and fulfillment as her mother.