My new friend Albert Arcilla has that distinct ability of starting a simple dinner conversation with questions that could make an elephant stop to think.
With hardly any build up, he turns to me and asks: “When was the last time you realized that there is GOD?”
Perhaps he had an inkling that I would actually have an answer and an interesting one at that. What he did not realize, which most of us also fail to appreciate, is that GOD often uses us to complete the story.
I quickly told Albert that I actually just had a “conversation with GOD” and since he asked the question, I was obliged to tell a story that began several weeks before…
Some three weeks ago, I found myself somewhat bedraggled and fretting about the lack of available work or projects. Like many people my age, one discovers or comes to realize that maturity in this country is never a premium. While most employers look for experience, they are not willing to pay for the experienced in both age and life. If anything, many of today’s managers consider us a “threat” or a potential challenge.
So those of us who don’t have a “Professional career” pound the pavement and the phone in search of opportunities. We go from one meeting to another, one event to the next, all with the simple desire of finding a “racket” or a consultancy or a job. Sometimes it’s not so much about making money but about being productive and having a purpose beyond the four walls of your house.
But in these trying times of global crisis and catastrophes, there are times when you come home having achieved nothing. No fruitful results from three or four meetings in a day, and as days stretch to weeks, you cling to every prayer, every promise and every word of faith to battle the growing burden and frustration inside you.
One evening I actually came home like a “drunk” even though I did not even have a drop to drink. I was tired, so tired. Then I remembered one of my cardinal rules: When tired and feeling defeated – GO TO BED!
The next day as I geared up for another set of meetings, I received a call from a friend and learned that he needed to bring his wife abroad for treatment. She had some form of leukemia and their best option was outside the Philippines.
Knowing the scale of expense, you draw what little you have in a vain and brave effort to express your love and support. It wasn’t much, but it was all I could give. Like soldiers biting the bullet, my wife and I simply entered it under: “sacrificial offering”.
Just then you realize how insignificant your worries are. While we are all justified to be concerned about work, finances and providing for our family and staff, you suddenly realize that other people have bigger problems to deal with.
It even made me realize that I could make a daily TOP 20 PRAYER REQUEST, maybe even 50, from all the text requests that are passed around in our Men’s prayer group. That was the first reminder.
Then my cellphone rings and it’s our Motoring Section Editor Dong Magsajo, calling to ask if I was free to fly out to the Bangkok Motor Show with the people from Chevrolet? Considering my “hectic” schedule of nothing to do, I said yes.
That was the second reminder. Every time my wife and I make “sacrificial offerings” to help others, God always surprises us by giving us much more. By the way, it only works when you don’t expect anything in return!
Flying out on a Motoring assignment is generally NO FUN. The schedule is usually so tight, so packed and the time difference can be grueling. On one trip, I had to buy pasalubongs at a gas station, you get up at 4 in the morning Manila time to take showers and get dressed for work. You spend more time on the bus and on the road than at the events.
The Bangkok trip with Chevrolet was different. They flew us in early which gave us a day and a half of free time around Bangkok. I had a mini suite at the Bangkok Peninsula for four nights, went to major a cocktail party on the second night, got a chance to be driven by two wonderful lady journalists on a diesel powered Chevy Cruze then stopped for Lunch at the I-SEA resort on the white sand coast of Thailand’s famed coastal town of Hua Hin.
And on the third day…. I was guilt ridden and afraid.
How could I relish such luxury? Did I have any business being pampered in a five star hotel away from my wife and daughter? And what happens when the trip is over, when the reality of being under employed and dwindling resources slaps me back to reality, what then?
Just when you get to Paradise, you discover that the devil is in the garden.
I was clearly under attack. There I was inside the marble walled bathroom in front of a wall to wall mirror, all dressed up, painfully aware of the fleeting moment and wondering if I was simply running away from my worries or was I being set up? For what?
So, as I always have since childhood, I asked: “GOD, are you there?”
You’re never really sure, until the conversations begin. I was direct to the point.
“What is going on?”, “how can I be in the lap of luxury, hosted by some of the nicest people I’ve met, when you know the problems I’ve been having lately?”. “Am I fooling myself?” and finally the question that presses the button: “Is this me or is this you?”
It took a few seconds for me to understand the answer. GOD knew I needed a break. When I chose to help some one, as small as it may have been, I was reaffirming GOD’s love for people and his ever-present help.
In return, GOD used Dong, Albert, Lyn, Bel and Dave as well as my colleagues, to give me what was a Grand and unexpected vacation. Yes, Albert there is GOD and he’s waiting….
* * *