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Life and Relationship

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Man and Woman’s Roles in Marriage

 

There is much confusion regarding the roles of a husband and a wife plus the roles of a Father and a mother in the family. The husband's responsibility is to focus on his relationship with his wife on how he nurtures their relationship as husband and wife likewise with the wife. To complete each other that the man is not complete without the woman, there is a danger when the husband and wife are apart. Man will seek something else to fill that emptiness if it happens too often it could be work, woman, wine; whatever happens to come along at that time. 

            The woman was made for the man too, and this was to be his crowning glory, 1 Corinthians 11:7. Matthew Henry says, “Man was dust refined, but the woman was dust double refined” the wife should not compete with or criticize her husband. She is to make her husband proud of her and to make that the number one thing in her life. Her submission and spirituality may win a lost husband. The husband’s love and leadership may win a lost wife and children. Also, the role of the father and mother should be differentiated that a father and mother to take care of the needs of their children and be a good provider for their kids including their financial needs and education and social development as persons to be a good example in the community.

      According to Dr. Joseph Tan about the unity of understanding of the Husband and wife’s responsibilities:

 

1.     He is to love the wife – love must have willingness by the individual involved to show it. Love does not generalize but discerns, love does not confuse but communicates and clarifies. The husband put the highest interest of his wife and not his own and he provides that place of security and love for the wife, a friend, and a lover all rolled out in one.

 

2.     He is to look after the wife - that means to provide her material needs because women in general want a secure life, they are worried about their daily needs for the children’s foods, education, and clothing that are well provided. Then physically that the wife will look beautiful for the husband to maintain his beauty by giving her needs and not be a worrier that destroys the beauty of a woman when in stress. 

 

3.     He is to lead the wife - the question is “who takes the lead spiritually in the home? The husband is the one who calls for prayer, reads the scripture, and teaches the truths about God for the children to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and his grace, as He is the priest in the family to fulfill the spiritual responsibility.

 

The wife’s role to fulfill her responsibilities to her husband:

 

1.     She is to be submissive and in subjection to the husband - Wives must keep in mind that the role they are to play in life was not decided by their choice but it is from the word of God in 1 Peter 3:1, Ephesians 5:22,24. Submission in no way suggests that God thinks any less of the wife. It is different in function not of value. He is not superior or inferior. He made us different in roles to fulfill; he made man a leader and a woman a follower. God brings them together into a union to support, to help, to strengthen, to complement, to supplement one another, and not to fight.

 

2.     She is to possess spirituality - 1 Peter 3:1-6, show how the Christian wife must be genuine in her spiritual life. To be the kind of woman God wants her to be, she manifests a true concern for her husband’s salvation and spiritual welfare by being modest and have an inward beauty.

 

3.     She is to stay attractive - it may sound immature or superficial according to Dr. Tan but the man looks at the outer beauty of a woman that a man’s need for physical attractiveness in a woman is profound. So ladies stay beautiful for your husbands, attitudes may change but it is hard to become beautiful outside. A wife's attractiveness is a vital ingredient to the success of her marriage and any wife who ignores this notion, whatever the reasons, risks disaster according to Dr. Tan.

 

Contributor/Article by: Armando D. Fermin 

Edited by: NjA 

NjA Art & Photography

Childbirth in the New Normal

When a woman gives birth, it is a joyful event. The roller coaster ride of pregnancy is finally over. The feeling of seeing your baby for the first time is ecstatic. Yet, little did we know that giving birth requires so much preparation may it be physically, mentally, and financially.

 

 

This year was tough for the fact that the virus is existing. The pandemic changed the accustomed lives of the people that includes delivering a baby. Before the pandemic, giving birth is a smooth sailing process. The pregnant woman goes to the hospital and will be waiting in the labor room until her cervix is fully dilated. She will be in the delivery room where there is plenty of staff. Once the baby is out, the mother is ready to be transferred to her chosen accommodation – ward, semi-private room, or private room. If there are no complications with the baby, the baby joins the mother in the room accommodation. Relatives and friends of the woman who gave birth will then visit the hospital whenever they want to congratulate the mother and welcome the baby. However, this child delivery routine changed a whole lot this year.

 

In this pandemic time, childbirth is much more complicated and expensive. Physicians, nurses, and other medical staff that will assist the patient are required to wear a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times. This personal protective gear is being charged to the patient’s bill. Another thing that makes childbirth complicated and expensive is because hospitals now require rapid test/ swab tests for everyone who is trying to get admitted. Swab test in the Philippines costs 3,500-6,500 per head. If the person shows signs of fever and cough, then there is a big possibility that the hospital will reject you and transfer you to a Covid isolation facility while waiting for your swab test result to come out. So, imagine being pregnant going through labor and in isolation, is such a hassle? Bills in the hospital are also much higher now because of sanitation costs. For example, in one hospital in the Philippines - the ward package before the pandemic was just 14,000 pesos, but recently it has been raised to 16,000 pesos. All these factors are the reason why most pregnant women prefer to give birth in lying in’s instead than in the hospital because it is much cheaper and not that risky.

 

Even though the process seems to be different now than what we have been used to, we have no choice but to go along, for it is part of the new normal. Pregnant women are one of those vulnerable sectors that are much affected by this pandemic. Giving birth at this time is much riskier than before. One should prepare in all aspects.

 

 

Contributor/Article by: JC 

Edited by: NjA 
NjA Art 

Photography: Kelvin Octa

@pexels.com 

(free to use photo - no attribution required but prefer to give credits to the website and artist for their expertise)

The Rise of Plant Enthusiasts during the Pandemic

 

        The pandemic caused many disruptions in peoples' lives - closed businesses, canceled trips, lockdown, and many more. Yet, people are anxious to move on with their lives. As for today, let us set aside the negative impact of the pandemic on people. Instead, we will take a quick look at some of the positive outcomes.

      

          One of the effects of quarantine was that it brought families closer. Before the pandemic, it was hard to gather families together because of the busy schedule at work or school. However, when the door of a busy life closed, the window for rekindling family relationships opened. Another impact of lockdowns is that people focused on new hobbies. In the Philippines, along with the rise of virus cases, is the upsurge of what we call "Plantitos or Plantitas." These are people who love to collect and nurture plants.

        

          Having plants at home is said to be good for our mental health. It is undeniably relaxing to see different kinds of plants in and around our homes. Plants can also help keep the temperature balanced. Taking care of plants is also helpful in reducing anxiety. Most of us are anxious about our current situation as to what is going on with the world. 

          But when we are busy with plants, it becomes a great way to keep our sanity. Those who were jobless found themselves preoccupied with growing flowers, which seems suitable for their mental health. It gives them a sense of fulfillment once they see the flowers they planted in full bloom. In addition to this, being a Plantito and Plantita made them broaden their circle and gain new connections. Since a growing number of Filipinos find this hobby interesting, it became more relatable among communities. Some even found new friends by sharing their experiences in growing their plants. At the same time, others could use their new skills for "bartering" and as a source of income. Filipinos who have a lot of rare plants seem to have the highest gross income and have one of the most saleable products in the market.

 

        Plant enthusiasts make the world more pleasant despite the circumstances in which we have now. Growing plants has proven to effectively free us from the anxiety that this pandemic has caused.

Contributor/Article by: JC 

Edited by: NjA 
NjA Art & Photography