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Windows of Opportunity

By Lovelette B. Gonzaga

The sky was bright that Sunday afternoon as I was lying on our roof facing the beautiful velvet blue sky God was sharing with me. The leaves of the mahogany tree swayed to the rhythm of the gentle breeze that caressed my sleepy and stressful face. All this beauty unfolding before my eyes was enough to cheer me up and make me feel relaxed despite problems disturbing my brain.

Unwanted visitor

A young woman together with a man and a classmate from my high school days came to the house looking for me. Grandma yelled, ‘Candy, someone’s looking for you downstairs.’ At first I pretended that I didn’t hear and closed my eyes. But when Grandma continued calling and searching for me I ran down the stairs trying to hide from her. The three visitors had come to ask my help by inviting me to join their Choral Ministry, as they really needed a soprano.

Sharing my talents

I remembered the first time I joined a choral ministry singing at Sunday Mass. The schedule of practices didn’t fit my time to study, to relax and to serve. We finished practice between nine and ten at night. Home was far and that worried my family. No jeepneys stopped near our house at that time and I had to go home by myself. Still, I had always dreamed of sharing my God-given talents with others and at the same time glorifying the name of the Lord. But I left that first group because I wasn’t happy and contented. Later two other groups invited me to join but their situation was similar to the first and so I didn’t.

Where my heart belongs

Now I had another opportunity. I accepted the offer of the three visitors with the permission of my mother and grandmother. I attended their practices and services, offering every Sunday morning to God. Through my sharing and commitment I found another home, founded from above. With much feeling and a sense of comfort I sang with my new choir mates, or let’s say my other family, and at the same time I learned the beauty and wonder that most Catholics miss.