Mom and Dad

Tomorrow I will be taking my parents out to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.

45 YEARS!!!! How cool is that?

Now, I've been around for 32 years, so I've seen my parents live their life as husband and wife. Is it a perfect marriage? NO! But, there is no such thing. Since a marriage is made up of two people, and since no person is perfect, then a marriage cannot be. But that's ok. I think it is the imperfections that make it most personal.

If there is one thing I can tell you I've learned from my mom and dad (there are A LOT of things, but they won't all fit on this blog) its what true love is in a marriage. I wish I could tell you that my dad is the most romantic man in the world, or that my mom is the kind of woman who appreciates romance, flowers, jewelry, and candy. But I've never really seen them that way. They are an old school Hispanic couple who rarely show their romantic side. I'm sure they have had their romantic moments. I can think back on some times when my dad would say sweet things about my mom, or embarrass her by kissing her in public.. haha

But when I think of their marriage, romance is not the first thing that comes to mind. Now, I have made a promise that when I get married I will try my hardest to always be romantic. I hope that flowers, cards, and gifts will always be a part of my wife's life. But I also know that a marriage is not built on romantic love. It is built on TRUE, REAL love. When times are bad, or when someone is upset, it's not romantic love that helps to solve the problem... it's true love. It is commitment. It is hard work. My mom and dad are HARD workers. I've only met a few other people in my life that have similar work ethic as my mom and dad. If it's their job, if it's their kids, or if it's their marriage... they work hard to make it happen.

I praise God that I never had to worry about not having a place to live, food to eat, or having clothes on my back. My parents worked hard to provide for their family. I was also very lucky that in high school, I could focus completely on school, sports, band, student government, one act play, etc... because my mom and dad worked so hard so their kids wouldn't have to have a job to help support the family. And the best thing in my life was that as a kid, and as a teenager, and now as an adult, I never had to worry about my parents ever getting a divorce. My parents worked hard to make sure their marriage worked. They were committed. FOR LIFE! They supported each other. They worked together to raise their children.

I feel so bad for children who have to ask, "why isn't daddy coming home." I couldn't imagine what that would be like. I grew up in a happy home.

I know that a single parent can still provide a happy home. But, I couldn't imagine living without both a mom and a dad at home... showing me an example of what commitment is. An example of how to care for someone else. An example of how to be faithful. Two people who truly meant, "till death do us part." They taught me the importance of faith.

The reason my mom and dad have such a strong marriage is because they are both servants of Jesus Christ. God is the center of our family. If it was up to my mom and dad on their own, then there is a big chance that they would be just another statistic in the divorce category. But because of our savior and His great wisdom, we are celebrating a great day tomorrow. 45 years of marriage. I guess that might be rare this day and age.... But it's something I knew we would one day celebrate.

Mi Familia Pt. 3

(Mi Familia Pt 1 and Pt 2 can be found at myspace.com/davidnatividad)

I became a Christian at the age of 9. My mom and dad encouraged me to do well in school, music, and sports. For many years I was surrounded by friends who all wanted to do well in life. These are all reasons that I have found some success in my life (success not measured by money or status, but by looking for the purposes God has for my life). But also, I've always had this inner desire... this gut feeling that pushed me to always want more.

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

I've always believed that as Christians, we are called to do things with a holy and higher expectation. I truly believe that Christians should be at the top of their class, they should be known as the hardest working athlete on their team, and the best worker at their job. We do these things not because we have a big ego, but because we give our best to the Lord. We worship Him in everything we do. If I'm getting an "A" in math, or if I'm scoring a touchdown, Colossians says that I do it for the honor and glory of God... no one else. Now, automatically, when we do this for the Lord, others benefit from it.

I think that if there is anything that I could pray for all of my cousins, I would pray that they have the inner desire to do all things as if working for the Lord. I pray they have the inner desire to improve themselves through education and hard work. I want them to know that even though there is nothing wrong with working at lower paying jobs, there is also NOTHING wrong with wanting to do more with your life. Raise the Bar of expectations. What is stopping you from becoming a Doctor or a Lawyer. What is keeping you from getting a Bachelor's, Masters, Or PhD? NOTHING!

Philippians 4:13 says, "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength"

WHAT IS STOPPING YOU?

Let's be honest.... Will alcohol be around 20 years from now? YES.. it was here before you were born and it will be here long after you are dead and gone. Will drugs be around 20 years from now? YES... again, people were smoking weed long before you were born, and unfortunately it will still be here long after you are dead and gone. Please don't thing you are doing anything special by smoking weed... There will always be dirty little clubs, and dark little bars open late at night. They've been here, and they will always be here.

But you know what won't be here 20 years from now? The opportunities you have right now!! Your chance to do good in school... your chance to go back to school... you chance to turn over everything to God and to say, "Lord, I need you. I can do all things only through you." Why are you focused so much on things that have no meaning and will be here forever? It makes me want to cry every time I see young people put so much importance on a "party life." I promise I'm going to yell at the top of my lungs the next time I see one of my little cousins put "I love to drink and party" on their myspace profile!! WHY? WHY? WHY??????

We are not promised tomorrow! You can't say, "I'll have fun now, but one day I'll get serious about God, or my education, or my career." Maybe "one day" may not get here. And when you leave this planet do you want to be known as a person who did incredible things with their life, or as someone who really knew how to "party." You want to be known as a "party animal?" All you are doing is joining the millions of other fools who think that is important. Any idiot can be known as someone who can drink a beer or smoke some weed. Our schools are full of them. But to be a person who stands out. A person who allows God to move in their life... to make an impact in their generation... to be known as someone who helped others, achieved greatness, and did something others couldn't do. That is what God wants to do with you.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God has an incredible plan for your life. And I guarantee you it has nothing to do with impressing the local fools on how hard you can party. God has called you for greater and mightier things.

In Him,

D.