Karisa Rivera

When I was about 12 or 13, I read an excellent article in a Christian magazine about waiting for Prince Charming. At the end of the article, the author pointed out that it is never too early to start praying for your future husband.

The article included a sample checklist of prayer requests. I don’t exactly recall all items included on the checklist, but my prayer requests were something like this:

• That God would keep him safe, away from harm or a terrible accident.
• That if he wasn’t saved yet, that he would come to Christ soon! And if that he was saved, that he would keep growing in the knowledge and wisdom of God.
• That, if at all possible, he would keep himself sexually pure (I knew this was a long shot).
• Finally, I prayed for his family. That God could work through any challenges that they could be facing (of any sort), and that one day, they would accept me and love me as much as their son.

Well, I cannot fully explain the gratitude for all answered prayers. Yes, God answered each and every single request.

I met Abe when we were 16. He was not saved. I shared the Gospel with him and invited him to youth group and church. He hasn’t stopped growing as a disciple of Christ since. He grew up in a family that did not carry Biblical values, yet Abe had never had a girlfriend or even kissed any girl before! Do you see God at work here, answering my prayers!? His family has gone through struggles, but his parents are still together, the whole family knows Christ now, and they immediately accepted me into their family (and they ADORE our kids, of course).

As time goes by, I am still in awe of how God was so faithful in answering a plain girl’s simple and innocent prayers.

ARE you specifically praying for your future husband?

A few months ago, I read Debi Pearl’s Preparing to be His Help Meet. As expected, it is an excellent book. And talking about praying for your future husband, Debi addresses this issue on the very first chapter. My prayer life has forever been changed, once more!

Debi tells the story of how she met Michael, her husband. She was just a young teenager and he was a young preacher. She knew in her heart she would one day marry him. He did not have a clue she was the one God had for him until a week before they got married (a lovely story you have to read). She says,

“Michael was God’s man, a preacher that needed a faithful prayer warrior. He was in the thick of winning thousands of soldiers to the Lord…Hot females chasing after him would be a constant threat to his ministry… This could have been an extreme temptation to his flesh… God was looking for a help meet that would pray, not for herself to have a wonderful prince, but for a help meet to start HELPING this warrior of God to do the job God had for him to do [through her prayers].”

She says that she prayed and prayed and prayed for this man of God. And God answered.

“Do you sit waiting for God to give, yet never ask for the laborer’s strength, honor and boldness? What young warrior NEEDS your faithful prayers?”

“We can and do make a difference in eternity when we pray. If that were not true then it would be pointless to pray.”

“Does your future beloved languish because you do not pray for him and those over him?”

Back to Debi’s story, this is what she now thinks about all the other girls that through the years chased after Michael as a fine prospect,

“Maybe the other girls prayed amiss, not for the warrior, but for themselves to get a wonderful husband.”

HOW are you praying for your future husband?

Like I said, after reading this chapter, my prayer life has changed. I have been challenged to a new level! Thinking back, I could have definitely prayed selflessly for God’s worrier, instead of praying for my prince charming.

God will raise up thousands of bold, talented and faithful warriors if each one has someone who will faithfully pray for him.

Little girls and princesses, they go together, right? I am yet to meet a little lady that doesn’t like being called a princess. It is precious!

What’s even more beautiful the fact that we are all princesses, waiting for our groom, the Prince of Peace. Our daughters need to know that. We need to joyfully explain that we are all God’s Princesses, and that is what matters.

You see, Disney and other industries have taken advantage of this beautiful truth and have distorted for their profit’s sake. They have gotten all our girls hyped about the princess theme, yet they lack the basic and fundamental truth found in the Scriptures.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7

D o our daughters know they need to be ready for our Prince?

Rivera Family

The Cake

“A house is built with walls and beams;
a home is made of love and dreams.”

I am a housekeeper – not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,

but have not love,

my children learn cleanliness – not godliness.

If I scream at my children for every infraction,

and fault them for every mess they make,

but have not love,

my children become people-pleasers not obedient children.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present “mommy,”

the taxi-driver to every childhood event,

the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,

then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.

Now I glory in God’s perfection of my child.

All the projections I had for my house and my children

have faded away into insignificance,

And what remain are the memories of my kids.

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,

dishes with missing place settings,

and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,

But the greatest of all is the Love

that permeates my relationships with my children.

“Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD caused the sea to withdraw by a strong east wind that blew all night. This dried up the sea and the waters were divided.

Then the children of Israel went into the sea, dry, and the waters were like a wall to his right and left.”
Exodus 14:21, 22

If God asked the Israelites to pass through the middle of the sea, BETWEEN TWO WALLS OF WATER, why will He not ever ask you to do something that will not necessarily go according to human logic? Indeed, the whole Bible is full of stories of people with deeds outside of the of logical, human order.

Many others decided not to attend to the call of God. They probably do not want to risk their lives, their reputation, their comfort, or even their own plans. They did not make it to the pages of Scripture.

How about you? Would you be willing to obey God and risk everything you have for His sake?

Are you doing it in your marriage?
In the bringing up of your children?
At your local church?
With your friends? With your words? With your eyes?

Many have done it before us. Let’s leave a legacy for future generations.

Photo carlosm76

My mother has spent almost three decades of her life, as part of her service to God, raising her  six children. Because of her love for us and in obedience to God, she chose to be a devoted, godly mother. 

She taught us that God is love, not only with instruction, but with her life. And that He is to be greatly feared.

She has shared with us  what she has learned from God and what He is still doing in her life.

She taught us how to walk like Jesus Christ.

She taught us to serve, respect and obey our father.

She insisted, (often) that we should live as brothers and sisters, together in harmony… because it pleases God.

She taught me to cook since long before I can remember. Not because I had to, but because she shared her time with me, always including me in everything she was doing.

She taught me to iron at age 5. No, it was not child abuse. She did it because she knew I was ready to learn. Which affirmed me, at such a young age; my life was very important to my family. To be able to contribute, in any way, to the family has always filled me with purpose.

She taught me how to sow a little skirt for a doll before I was 10. She did this to show that many difficult things can be achieved with patience, dedication and practice.

She sat with us to watch TV. She would take her time to explain whether or not the cartoons or shows we were watching taught Biblical values, or not.  She limit our TV time to 2 hours per day, max. (This is probably why I don’t have a TV set in my house!) She wanted us to use our creativity and energy either outside the house, in the kitchen cooking or baking, or immersed in books, or just playing with our brothers and sisters.

She taught us to pray for other children from church who were sick or were going through tough times.

She helped me share the gospel for the first time to a neighbor, Candy, when I was only about 6 years old.

She would have us pray for our dad when he had a major event at church or in the community, or when he was away traveling.

She did large drawings on white cardboard paper showing Biblical character traits. She would tape them to the wall of our bedroom and help us memorize Bible verses.

She, with great courage, took the responsibility to educate us at home. For the simple reason of instructing us in the ways of the Lord. For this I am eternally grateful.

She taught us that the value of people is not in what they own or in their physical appearance, but the value is in how God sees and loves them.

She encouraged us to extend a hand of friendship or service before judging or criticizing others.

She often reminded us of the great blessing we had to serve the living God.

She was the one who told me that the most valuable things in life are the hardest to attain. But it was always worth waiting for the best! Like – my husband.

She would tell me she would pray very hard for my future husband – specially I was being a diffcult young adult.

She has loved, supported, corrected, guided, and listened to me.

She continues to share her life with me. She is a great woman. And I thank God for her life!

Almost every woman dreams of her wedding day and longs for the day she meets her Prince Charming. She keeps alive her dream of becoming a bride – a wife and mother, one day. Her parents hope amd pray she will marry a good man. And while these wishes and intentions are very good, few women are intentionally preparing hard for marriage.

To the contrary, many, unknowingly are following a feminist pattern: challenging God’s principles and going after what the world offers, such as careers, school titles, professions and positions that take a woman away  from where God called her to be, at home.

It takes considerable sacrifice to achieve dreams and goals. Is being a wife and mother one of your dreams and goals? What do you think God was to say about this? Think about it.

There are certain elements that enrich the process of preparing a woman for marriage.

Here is an inventory you can use as a checklist if you are single, waiting for your Prince Charming. Go ahead and do a self-assessment to see where you need improvement. (They are not in any particular order)

Dedication. The woman who wants to be a loving, helpful and fun wife, should already be aiming at it.  Each day, make all effort to be loving, helpful and fun with those around you. Practice makes perfect

Learn from the pros. There is no doubt that the best way to learn is at the feet of the masters. In this case, it is crucial to spend time with God-fearing wives that love their husbands are instructing their children in the ways of the Lord. This is not only a good opportunity to learn from them, but to serve them as well.

Sacrifice. The higher the price, the most value it has. If you want to be a treasure for your husband, you better be worth it. This requires great sacrifice during the years of bachelorhood. When the temptation to lower our standards and go along with the crowd, pause and consider whether this will help you be a better wife someday soon. There will be many times where the right thing will be the most hardest and difficult. Someday, your husband will thank you for it!

Responsibility. Women must learn to be responsible not only with their time and money, but in many other areas of life that can build or destroy a marriage. During your singlehood years, look to grow in responsibility with your words, promises, commitments, friendships, etc.

Investigate. How many women enter into marriage to only find the surprise of their lifetimes as they discover what marriage is really all about? The woman who wants to be the queen of her home, has to do some homework first. You can do interviews, take notes, read books, observe, question, and create your own treasure chest (before your wedding day!).

The Plan. In Genesis, God outlines the plan for women: to be the one that helps her husband succeed in life and together  have children and raise them in the fear of God. This doesn’t start the day you say “Yes, I do.” This starts with a plan that will guide you towards that special day. Since each story is different, each woman’s plan will vary one from the other. Some elements to keep in mind: honor your parents, cheerfully submit to your authorities, know how to cook, know the basics of menu planning, have the habit of saving money, know how to manage finances, know the basics of managing a household, know how to clean your kitchen, bathroom, floor, furniture, babysit often, teach children, know how to do laundry and ironing, making good use of your time, to name a few.

Discipline. Similar to sacrifice, a disciplined life is not highly celebrated in this culture. It is coveted, yes, but not required enough. It helps to have friends with similar beliefs to yours. In my case, this helped me very much to stay away from unnecessary temptations in life.

It is serious. Marriage is not a fantasy or a game. It is very sacred in the eyes of God. Society, for the most part, makes a mockery out of marriage, belittles it, and invites women to ‘be ready in case things go wrong’. This is not from God. But he does have the power to overcome all these wrong and negative ideas and realities. So the woman who wants to succeed in marriage must seek to give the seriousness and holiness that God gives it.

Be strong and be ready. God knows the day and time when your Prince Charming will arrive. But if there is something you can do today, is get ready. The Enemy of the family is fiercely looking to distract any woman who will look to God as a wife and mother. Be strong and stand firm, fight the battle! After you have won, God will reward you with a strong marriage.

Time to train and improve your skills. Attempts to be discipled by a wife and mother; faithfully serve at church; acknowledge and use your spiritual gifts and talents; have a fruitful, solid relationship with a girlfriend; and grows in areas of weakness in your life.

I only ask you to answer this with a genuine heart: “Am I giving more importance and priority to my preparation for marriage than to school or work?” Remember, where your treasure (resources) is, there your heart will be also.

In 2004, I was the happiest woman on earth because I was a newlywed bride. Finally! My high school sweetheart was finally my man! We enjoyed a beautiful wedding and our honeymoon was splendid. But then … life began.

I wanted to share many of the things I wish I had done better or differently before I got married. And though, I cannot go back on time, I wanted to share these lessons with other women who will walk down wearing a beautiful wedding dress… and someday, not too far away, share all this with my daughter♥

Photo by PieterMusterd.

For many years I witnessed <and still do> the wonderful marriage of my parents. Although they are not perfect, they did make specific choices when they exchanged vows at the altar. Their choices included making God the center of their relationship and letting God guide their family. That is why I now stand and consider myself blessed for having such parents.

Today, although a few months short of my fifth anniversary, I am very happy and grateful for the marriage God has given me. With my husband, we have learned and grown in ways we could not even imagine. I am very blessed.

Here is a continuation of the letter a wise man wrote to his two sons regarding women (a future wife):

First, know that the woman you marry will be the lifelong mother of your children. All that she is in the accumulation of her past experiences will be present as the mother of your children. There is not a more major decision affecting the future of your children than the choice of your life’s partner… Treat your wife as a delicate flower, and she will “bloom” with energy to be a more giving mother.
Be sure to cultivate your relationship with your wife. Meet her needs. Make her happy. Enjoy her thoroughly … If you love and cherish your wife, the children will love and cherish her also.

Here are basic qualities you need to look for when choosing your wife:
That she loves the Lord and is his true disciple
Cheerfulness
Thankfulness
That she is a creative and hard worker
Love for children

Never marry a girl who feels she is not getting the best man in the world when she gets you. A girl who enters marriage thinking she could have done better will never be satisfied for wondering what it might have been like if…

Avoid like a plague the girl who will pursue her own career outside the home. A wife must be your “help-meet.”

Photo by zaza_bj.

I am very grateful that my dad chose to take upon him the responsibility of rearing and training his children in the way of the Lord. It is because of my dad’s and mom’s commitment to honor God as parents is that my five siblings and I honor and worship one God. I remember spending a lot of time, as a little girl, with my father and mother. It is from them that I learned almost everything I now know.

And now, I am extremely blessed to be married to someone who has chosen to step up to the call and be the father that God wants him to be. He has turned his back to society’s ideals for young men about ‘success.’ He has chosen his family over what the world wants from him. He has accommodated his work so that he can spend all day at home. I am so happy he is looking forward to the day our children can help him. THANK YOU ABE!

Here is an excerpt of a letter one wise man wrote to his two young sons:
Now I want to speak to you about being good fathers. While you are still young and unmarried, with no children, do what all of God’s creatures do – prepare the nest for their arrival. DON’T PUT YOURSELF IN AN OCCUPATIONAL POSITION THAT WILL LEAVE YOU OUT OF POSITION TO BE A GOOD FATHER. Plan your life’s trade so as to maximize your role as a father. Fathers who become absorbed in their success in business will make lousy fathers. If you gain the whole world and lose your child’s soul, what profit it is? Some workaholics will say they are doing it for their children – providing security, a good education, etc. Why is it that children of hardworking, absent fathers never appreciate their sacrifice, and even show disdain and contempt to their father’s success? The reason is that children are not fooled. They understand their father’s absence to be selfishness on his part and lack of lack of interest in them. They see their father get more satisfaction from his job that from their presence. Whether this be true or not, the results are the same. Business success always passes away; time spent with your children becomes permanent, eternal part of them. The education your child will need cannot be purchased at a university. It is purchased by the father in the many hours spent doing things with his children.

Photo by carlosm76.

This was originally posted at SilverKey by one of my sisters.
She is currently living and working in Bolivia.

Last night I came home with a huge grin on my face

I couldnt believe my life

I was blessed

Last night I saw tears on my friend’s face

I heard about her life

and I felt blessed

Words fail me to truly expressed how grateful and blessed I feel right now. It’s like a light bulb has gone on inside my head or a veil has been lifted from my eyes … yesterday I stopped midday and realized I AM TRULY BLESSED. While others feel lonely, Ive never felt more loved. While others struggle financially, Ive never felt that I lack because God provides. While others are losing their faith, mine has never been stronger. And God has been soo good to me that he gave me amazing parents, the best brothers and sisters anyone can ask for – and though, I am away from them, He has made sure that I have the same support (emotionally and spiritually) in Bolivia. He has allowed my eyes to see His amazing creation. He has let me meet interesting and wonderful people from all over the world. I know that I am loved. I know that I am forgiven. I know that I am blessed. And its the most wonderful feeling in the world!

Photo by carf.

• You know what he likes and dislikes.
• You know what he is passionate about.
• You know what attracts him to certain friends.
• You know why his friends are attracted to him.
• You know what bad habits he struggles with.
• You know what strengths he is aware he has.
• You know what he would choose to do if he had all the money and time in the world.
• You know what music he listens to, and why he likes it.
• You know what type of people disgusts him.
• You know what type of people he admires.
• You tell him God is directing you to help him/her make changes in his behavior and he humbly and readily accepts it.