THE AWAKENED SOUL
By:  Alma Erana

Sylvia was born to a poor family in a certain part of Bohol Province. Her father was only a farmer, and her mother was a dressmaker. They lived in a simple way of living, where they eat vegetables everyday. Sylvia was a diligent child and so many ambitions in her life. She was the number one choice among the one hundred graduating student and became the valedictorian during their graduation in high school because she was intelligent. After her graduation, she pursued her study in college at the University of Manila wherein she became scholar. She took up B.S Psychology. In Manila, Sylvia learned to get along with other people and joined any social gatherings.  She was easily noticed and admired by men because of her beauty and innocent provincial looking in which most men liked. Sylvia did of what she wanted to do. So, her mother has nothing to do, of what her daughter liked to do to herself.

One day, Sylvia met Leandro de Guzman a tall and handsome guy introduced by her classmate Clara in the school canteen. Leandro liked Sylvia’s profile. So, after how many days later, Leandro courted Sylvia. ” Are you sure, that you like me?” Sylvia asked Leandro.” Yes of course I like you, and I love you” Leandro replied. Sylvia liked Leandro too, so that is why she accepted Leandro to become her lover, and obviously they became lovers.

Sylvia and Leandro’s love affair was getting stronger everyday. They both love each other very much. Their togetherness made them getting closer each other everyday. In spite of their relationship, Sylvia did not get affected.  She did study very hard in order to pursue her education. Because of her handworks, and prayers Sylvia successfully finished her study. After Sylvia’s graduation she easily got a job because she had nice grades. Sylvia got a job in the s school wherein she graduated. She was a school teacher. So she had already a salary, and she did not forget her parents, she sent money for them. So, Sylvia’s parents were very happy of what their daughter’s achievements.

After three years of her job, finally Leandro de Guzman proposed to Sylvia that they will get married. So, finally they got married.  They became husband and wife and they were happy with their relationships.  They were blessed with five children. Leandro’s job was an   engineer, of the manufacturing company in Cagayan de Oro which is Del Monte Philippines in Mindanao, wherein his wife and children were left in Manila.

While Sylvia was alone in their house she felt lonesome and missed her husband’s intimacy. Her husband was so busy with his job and did not mind his family anymore.  He neglected his responsibility as a father to love and care to his family. He was very busy with his job and had a chick everywhere that is why only little money he sent allowance to his family. Until such time Sylvia got bored and try to decompensate herself by making friends with another men and women.

Sylvia learned how to live socially together with her friends and involved in a night life. She attended with friends in a disco and dance with liquor in their surroundings. She knew how to drink and smoke as the way the teenager did.  She committed adultery with other boyfriend’s and neglected her children anymore without her love and care. 

As years pass by, When Sylvia standby at the park she noticed that there were many foreigners scattered along the area. She was curious of what they were doing, so she came nearer to them, and asked of what they were doing. But she was thinking that they were Christian missionaries who preach the gospel of God. At first she hesitated to hear, but one missionary was trying to explain to her why is it important to accept and believed the gospel of God, for he is coming back the second time around to judge the wicked. And people should be ready and anxious of what to do in order to be saved, because people have only two destinations in their soul, only heaven and heel, if people walk in accordance to the will of God and do His will   so, they were destined to heaven but, if people doing wickedness while they are still living on earth and neglected the words of God they were destined to heel. So, Sylvia thought of herself that she was so sinful and subjected to hell if she will not accept and repent of what she did. But it was not to late yet. So, Sylvia was awakened herself and accepted the words of God, and asked for forgiveness for her sins to God. She then realized of herself and went back to her simple way of life in accordance to the will of God. 

After one month later, she became Born Again Christian. She then realized how much important to walk in God’s will. She regretted herself of being irresponsible mother to her children. So, she cared and loved already to her children after she knew the truth. 

After three months later, she called the attention of her husband, and she preached and explained to her husband how important to be saved so that they will not destine to hell. And her husband accepted of what his wife had said to him.  Sylvia’s husband then realized that he was an irresponsible father too; to his family. He then awakened to the reality that as a responsible father he would love and cared to his family because that was a command by God. In so doing, the de Guzman family after they accepted and received God as their personal saviour and walk by His will, they were so blessed and happy.