There came a time in my life when I longed for a change – specifically, a change for a better and more stable way of living.
Hardship became no stranger to me during those moments of early family life.
And I wanted change.
Yet, deep down, I knew that walking in His will was the way to the “better life” that my heart was yearning for. I just didn’t know how.
But that longing later took me to a realization that what I was really yearning for was not riches, or a more comfortable life – but God.
And that eventually led me and my husband Rey into a journey we never imagined we would venture into.
We signed up for a Christian Life Program (CLP) offered by a Catholic lay community called Couples For Christ (CFC).
That one decision started the much-needed spiritual transformation of our life.
Transformed by God’s Grace
The program opened my heart and mind to a deeper understanding, and a recommitment to my then weak Catholic faith.
The talks – God’s Love, Who is Jesus Christ, Life in the Holy Spirit, Loving God, Loving Your Neighbor, etc. – transformed my secular mind to spiritual.
But beyond those spiritually-enlightening teachings there was one discussion topic that impacted me deeply – to give back to God the talents that He has given us, so generously.
Amazingly, every time we talked during gatherings and prayer meetings about giving our talents back to God, the thought of writing for God always flashed in my mind, although writing to me back then was just a hobby.
While it had always been a part of me, something that I enjoyed, and passionate about I never really considered it as something meant for anything else than writing simple essays, or personal reflections.
The Call
But one day during my prayer time, the message of giving our talents back to God echoed in my mind.
As I pondered upon it, a thought came to my mind.
“Write a book!”
I shuddered as the idea of writing a book stuck in my mind.
Yet, from that day forward a faint desire was born in my heart. The desire to become an author.
A New Life Journey
Years passed – life took my family on a new journey.
In 2002, God blessed my family with the opportunity of moving to America. With this transition came new challenges, but alongside these challenges unexpected doors opened.
Soon, I was writing columns for Filipino American newspapers—Making a Difference and later, In His Praise.
I have found a way to give my (writing) talent back to God.
Fulfilling God’s Call
One prayerful day, an idea came to my mind that sent shivers to my spine – I could turn my column articles into a book.
What started as scattered reflections in my newpaper columns appeared to have the possibility of growing into something bigger —a book dedicated to God.
And so, the book that began to shape from the divine nudges and prayerful whispers I received many years ago became a reality.
But beyond being just a book, it also turned out to be an answer to another heart’s desire that sprung from our membership in Couples For Christ, an answer to another call from God – the call to discipleship.
“Go and make disciples of all nations…”
Both call to discipleship and the call to write a book have always been in my mind and heart.
And the book could fulfill both calling. I could use writing to share God’s message of love, hope, and salvation through discipleship and evangelization.
I finally found my heart’s desire.
In a Nutshell
This is my journey, my testimony, my humble offering to God (and to the world), hoping that, in some way, the book becomes a blessing to everyone who reads it, a way to reawaken God’s children to the fact that we are all called to use and offer back to God the talents that we have received from Him.
Then we will glorify God, because giving back to God the talents that He gave us – meaning using the skills we have – will cause us to live a life empowered, and on fire, which is what God desires for His children.
In her writings, St. Catherine of Siena said, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”
Apparently, we will become who God meant us to be when we use the talents that God has endowed us with.
Let us then be who God meant us to be by using the talents, or skills, that He so generously gave us, and all together let’s set the world on fire.
