The littlest one A neighbour, who was in a bit of pain because her son wasn’t profiting much from his schooling, couldn’t find a way to help him with his schoolwork. She left for work every morning at 5:30 and returned in the evening. So, I suggested that she send him over to me and he could study with my son. It wasn’t easy, because I also had to help my older son and take care of the smaller one, who had just turned one. But I was glad to be of help to someone. M. M. (Venezuela) An arms factory Finally I had found a job at factory equipped with a sophisticated security system. I couldn’t believe it and thought our problems were over. After a while I became aware of a secret that had been kept from me: the factory built weapons. They asked me if I had a problem with that, and I nonchalantly answered no. It wasn’t up to me to solve that problem, plus I would have been out on the street again. Talking it over with my wife and some friends, I realized what choice I needed to make. On my way home, unemployed again, I couldn’t stop crying, but there was an unusual joy deep inide my soul. I had put my Christian identity before everything. I would never have imagined that just a short time later I would be offered another very gratifying job and, most importantly, in line with my conscience. D. R. (Italy) A different mood Our son had returned from the kind of vacation we parents just couldn’t approve of. We decided to talk to him after supper, firmly decided to tell him that either he changed his lifestyle, or he’d have to move out of the house. All day, I kept asking myself if that would really be good for him. I also spoke about it with some of my girlfriends and my doubts increased. Perhaps, I thought, we have to be able to wait and put more love into our relationship as Jesus tells us to do. After talking about it with my husband, we had a change of mood, no longer imposing our point of view, but having a more listening mood in order to hear him. We sat together for a long time and, even though he didn’t share our ideas he let us share his struggles. We thanked God for having guided us along. C. W. (Austria) A suspicious character We don’t know anyone in the town we moved to for work. In fact, my colleagues tell me not to trust anyone there, because the people there are not recommendable. My husband, with his outgoing personality, immediately began to chat with several people, especially one man in particular whom he met every day at the magazine stand. My colleagues warned me again, telling me that man, in particular, had serious problems with the law. A few days later our daughter wasn’t feeling well and her condition worsened. I felt at a loss. Then I remembered that my husband had received a local map from the man he had met at the magazine stand. It showed the location of all the local services, including hospitals, doctors and pharmacies. Suddenly, it all became easy, thanks to the map from that suspicious character. It was a powerful lesson for me: Love of neighbour must come before any and all judgements.” L. S. (Italy)