My sister has three daughters whose ages are two years apart from each other. When they were younger, my sister was fond of calling each one of her girls as "anak". "Anak" is a Filipino term of endearment that means "child". Any Filipino mother naturally calls her child with that term of endearment. One of my sister's daughters noticed her habit and was quite confused. So one day she asked, "Mama, why do you keep on calling us "anak" when we have our own names?"
At that time, my niece could still not understand the connotation of the term "anak". The term suggests affection and intimacy, a close relationship enjoyed with no other. As a mother myself, I understand why my sister called her daughters "anak". But I also understand my niece's juvenile point of view. She knows that she is called by her name in the same way her sisters also have their own names.
God calls "child" anyone who accepts His Son Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." And even if there are billions of people in the world, God knows the name of each one of us. What a blessing to realize that God calls me dearly as His child and will never forget my name or yours.
At that time, my niece could still not understand the connotation of the term "anak". The term suggests affection and intimacy, a close relationship enjoyed with no other. As a mother myself, I understand why my sister called her daughters "anak". But I also understand my niece's juvenile point of view. She knows that she is called by her name in the same way her sisters also have their own names.
God calls "child" anyone who accepts His Son Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." And even if there are billions of people in the world, God knows the name of each one of us. What a blessing to realize that God calls me dearly as His child and will never forget my name or yours.
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| Photo courtesy of Jesus Our Abundant Life Church |
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