Many are called, few are chosen (Mat 22:14)
by Ms. Mayette Camacho
MIDLIFE CRISIS IS COMMON TO THOSE WHO HAVE REACHED 30 to 45 years OF AGE. I say this because I’ve been there, and that a real midlife crisis indeed happened to me. This is my story.
I was at the peak of my career in media, with a happy family at my side. But something was lacking. I asked myself: What is missing? Why do I feel there is a lack? I am a churchgoer on Sundays and on weekdays. I also pray novenas; name a saint and I have it on my altar. I belong to a charismatic community in our company. But one word can summarize my spiritual life: EMPTY.
My boredom led me to many attempts of resigning from my work. Facing this difficult situation brought me to bouts of depression. I was beginning to feel like a robot. And then one good thing happened: God entered the picture. God works in many ways. Before we know it, He has touched us and we are called to serve him through the many faces of poverty, in our own places and in our community.
Perhaps this was the one thing missing in my – or your — life. We go to work, we go to church, we go to the mall, but still life is so empty. Perhaps we should do something we have not done before. Have we tried visiting the sick, feeding the malnourished and adopting a street kid? Let us try doing something for others and we will see the big difference in our lives.
Now I know the reasons why He allowed me to go through my midlife crisis. From it, God has shown me what to do so that the feeling of emptiness in my life has disappeared completely. . He chose me to be a servant of the poor and to use my talent through the people that I meet everyday who have the resources to help the poor.
I am most glad that God has opened my heart to reach out to the less fortunate. He did not only choose me but my family. Now my husband does volunteer work as a dentist in the nearby parish clinic.
How much do you have? How much money, how many blessings, how many talents do you possess? More important, what are you doing with what you have been given? Take note, this does not only refer to the financially affluent, but to all of us who have received freely of God”s love and grace — and we all have! How much do you have? How much will you share of your time to the poor? Like St. Vincent de Paul, are you willing to take the challenge?
Happy feast day!
(Ms. Camacho is a volunteer teacher every Saturday for the Palad kids)
