Mia's portrait by Clarissa and Malu

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5: 22-24

Submission is misunderstood mostly by wives because it is often associated with the word, “doormat.” But wives were called to submit to their husbands and acknowledge her husband’s leadership in Christ. It is an act of obedience to God. They are to show their husbands the kind of self-giving love that Christ showed the church.

Mia Mapa-Tiongson

A good example of a submissive wife is my sister-in-law, Mia, married to my younger brother, Randell. They have been married for 20 years and not once did I ever hear Mia complain or criticize her husband. She submitted to Randell in everything, even in choosing her career. Randell groomed her to be a financial consultant where she became an expert. About three years ago, however, she gave up her career to become a servant of God and be the wife and Mom that God had called her to be. At home, though not a cook, Mia learned to be a housewife, doing the chores and never complaining when they do not have a maid. She also began to home-school their two sons, Riggs and Chino and I must say, she is doing a great job.

As Mia celebrates her birthday today, I want to honor and salute her for being an exemplary wife and a woman after God’s own heart. Because she is an admirer of Clarissa’s art works, Clarissa and I toiled for three hours painting her portrait, presenting it to her as our gift. Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law and sister-in-Christ! We love you.