A New Calling, A New Season: Devoting my life to home and family

After much reflection, prayer, and long, heartfelt conversations with my amazing and supportive husband, I recently made one of the most significant decisions of my life—to close a deeply fulfilling chapter in the pharmaceutical industry and fully embrace a new calling, as a full-time wife and mother.

It is a decision that did not come quickly or easily. I spent weeks—months, even—listening closely to what my heart and faith were telling me. I wrestled with questions and thoughts many women have asked themselves, Am I ready to step away from my career? What does this mean for my identity? Can I find fulfillment in a different kind of work, one that does not come with a title or paycheck, but is rooted in love and service?

For nearly a decade, I was blessed to work in a private pharmaceutical company, which became more than just a workplace. It was a place that allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. It challenged me, empowered me, and gave me a strong sense of purpose. I had mentors who generously shared their wisdom, colleagues who turned into lifelong friends, and experiences that taught me the value of grit, grace, and perseverance.

The work we did mattered. Together, we strove to uphold integrity in our service, made decisions that impacted lives, and stayed on missions that extended beyond profit. For all of that, and for everyone who walked that journey with me, thank you. You’ve been part of the season I will forever treasure.

Now, a new season has begun.

I am choosing to invest the same dedication and heart into a different vocation, one anchored in the home we are building, the little lives we are raising, and the kind of quiet, often invisible labor that holds a family together. It’s not a resignation from ambition, but a redirection of it.

Like many women who step away from formal careers, I struggled with the fear of being “left behind,” of losing relevance, or of not “doing enough.” But what I’ve come to realize is that value and purpose don’t always come in the form of promotions and paychecks. They also come in the form of hugs at bedtime, unhurried conversations, shared meals, and sacred work of shaping character and nurturing love.

This transition is not without its challenges. The pace is different. The rewards are not always immediate or obvious. But there is deep peace in following a call that feels right for this moment. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

And so I honor this season, one that allows me to be fully present—for my husband, my children, and myself. A season where growth looks different, but is just as real. A season that requires courage, grace, and faith.

To the women (and men) contemplating a similar shift, know that your path is valid. Whatever season you are in, whether it’s about leaning in or stepping back, there is strength in choosing what aligns with your values, even if it defies conventional timelines or expectations.

This isn’t goodbye to the professional world forever. Life is full of surprises, and I remain open to whatever and wherever God leads me next. But for now, I am at peace, fully embracing this chapter with an open heart.

Here’s to new beginnings, rooted in love, strengthened by faith, and nurtured by family.

ANGELIE DEOLAN MAURICIO,
Quezon City