Living the Gospel: “Your paths”

Cast every worry
We have learned to cast every worry to God. When I was hospitalized it became an opportunity to strengthen the relationships of love in our family and to create them with people I didn’t know. The hospital and therapy cost a lot, and we didn’t know what we would do to buy wood for heating or pay the school fees. After a few days of not knowing, someone became a vehicle of God’s providence and the money we needed reached us.
R. – Serbia

Mr. Nobody
When I was the director of a health agency I was accused of having paid kickbacks for an important consulting job. Without the district attorney even allowing me to explain, I was forced to leave all public and private work.
In a flash I became Mr. Nobody. Everything around me went on as if I was guilty. I felt death within, and I even wished for it. God himself seemed to have disappeared.
My only support came from a dear friend who drew close. “Jesus Forsaken wanted you to be a bit like him. This trial will pass, but what will remain in your soul will be the richness of your love for him.”
After eight years of desert and anguish, I my innocence was recognized. Those moments of hell turned out to be the most fantastic and valuable experience of my life.
M.B. – Italy

Strongly believing
I experienced the meaning of Jesus’ phrase, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” My husband, the only breadwinner in our family, was let go right when our children were still school age. One of them could not sit for an exam because we did not have the money needed. I strongly believed that God would take care of us. That same day I received the amount we needed as a gift.
Y. – Croatia

I can hear!
For many years, our son has had hearing problems, and to cure him we moved to another country. I set out to look for work and do something for those around me, and the weight of the situation lightened.
We needed specialist examinations. Providentially, instead of the expected wait time of months, it only took a week! My son was then able to start treatment. Just after this, a moving and transport company called me for a job.
After a week of treatment, as they were giving him his drops, my son said, “Dad, I can hear in this ear!”
S. – Italy

Sad eyes
I had just gone out. A man came up to me; he was dirty and had immensely sad eyes. It was one of those moments when you think that you can’t change the world or take on all its problems. But those eyes were looking at only me.
“It’s been three days since I’ve eaten,” he said. I asked him to wait a moment and ran home to warm him something up quickly. When I went back to him, he devoured it all in a second.
Then I invited him to the cafe on the corner. People were looking at me a bit surprised, especially when I ordered coffee and four croissants – one for me and three for him. My friend devoured them all too.
He told me his story of pain and suffering. At one point I was wondering if it was all true, but what counted was to listen. It was a river of stuff.
More coffee, a milk, and I soon ran out of money. I gave him the address of a homeless shelter.
“This is the first time that someone takes an interest in me, so I’ll go,” he said. “This was worth waking up for today.”

From Urs Kerber, “La vida se hace camino” (our translation)