Pregnant and Working Despite the promises it had made, the company I work for was unable to provide maternity leave, compensation or future guarantees when I found out I was pregnant. So I had to resign. Then a friend offered me a position at his professional firm. It would have been a fictional employment; I wouldn’t have to work but my rights as a working mother would be honoured. I had already begun to prepare my documents when my conscience rebelled. By stepping outside the law, I would actually be performing a theft against the state, even though I wanted to be a model of honesty for the child I was awaiting. So I declined the job offer, against the wishes of my relatives. But a few days later they were also shocked by how God had answered in such a providential way: a new professional career for my husband, a crib, stroller and baby clothes for my son, as well as a new job for me.

M. L. – Sicily

The Ironing Board For a short time my son has been living on his own. He often comes to visit me, and one day when he saw me ironing, he said: “You know what? I’m missing an ironing board.” I didn’t think about it very long, and I gave him mine. He went away happy, but I was feeling happier because I had given him something he truly needed. A couple of days later a friend of mine asked: “Could you use an ironing board? I have one in the cellar that I’m no longer using.” I was stunned. It was also more comfortable than the one I had given away.

R. B. – Switzerland

The Classmate One day, one of my classmates began throwing books in the air and cursing against God: “Why aren’t you ever there when I need you? What are you doing up there?” I didn’t understand why he was acting like that, until I learnt that his mother had to have cancer surgery. I tried to be close to him, sharing this great suffering, and we prayed together to Jesus that the surgery would go well. Then my other classmates also prayed. The class seemed transformed: this event had made us become more united. The surgery went well, and we all thanked God.

J.S. – Germany

Translation Work I was in need of money and was able to find work translating. One day my friend confided to me that she was going through difficult times economically. I offered to let her share the translation work I was doing. That same day I received an offer for another job that would earn me double the amount I had shared with my friend.

E. M. – Azores