A book for the exam
“I’m enrolled in architecture. I had a very important exam to take, but I lacked a fundamental book. Since I am from Spain, it would cost me four times the normal price. The last day to sign up for that exam came and I was desperate. Leaving the university, I ran to a nearby church, where I asked Jesus for help, praying to him that I could obtain that book ‘by midday.’ Shortly afterwards, back at the department, I heard someone calling me: it was a colleague I had not seen for some time. Learning about my problem, he insisted on coming with me to another student’s house – someone I hardly knew. She had that book, and was even happy to lend it to me. It was midday. Some days later, noticing that there were typographical errors and important pages missing, I sent an email to the publishing house. To thank me, a week later the publisher sent me a free copy by courier. How can I not see the love of God in all this?” (S. G., Argentina)
Stepping into my husband’s shoes
“Coming home from work my husband often lies down on the sofa to watch a movie. This creates tension and anger inside me, since I expect a bit of help after a day of busy with the children and everything else that happens. One day, urged on by advice from some friends to start loving him first without expecting anything, I tried to put myself in his shoes. I thought about his work commitments and his need to find tenderness and understanding at home. Setting aside everything I was doing, I sat down next to him to watch a film, then we shared our ideas about it.” (G. G., Siberia)
Mutual help
“My neighbor’s husband was hospitalized. His 70-year-old brother was thus left alone at home, and he doesn’t cook at all. Despite the fact that at that time my own husband and mother had the flu, I offered to look after him. For 15 days, while I cared for my sick family, I also cooked for him, and on Sunday I invited him over for lunch at our house. He responded in turn by bringing some foodstuffs that he had. He has become one of the family.” (C., Italy)
