Walking down the
street, Leonard
thought about
how unhappy he
was. Born in a
poor family, his
parents had to
work hard to
support him and
his sister.
So, although
they never
lacked food,
clothing, school
supplies and
other
necessities,
Leonard missed
being able to
buy those little
things that
appeal to
children.
He was eleven
years old and
wanted to have
what his
colleagues had:
new clothes,
cool shoes, hats
and all of those
things.
With Christmas
time getting
closer, those
thoughts were
more present on
his mind.
His parents had
always taught
him that Jesus
is the friend of
all and that He
helps us with
our needs. But
Leonard was
tired of waiting
for a better
life that never
came.
Frustrated, he
walked
aimlessly, head
down, not
worrying about
where he was
going. Suddenly
he found himself
in a different
neighbourhood
which was a lot
poorer than that
where he lived.
Thus, a little
lost, Leonard
saw a bunch of
kids headed for
a big shed
nearby. Those
guys showed so
such excitement
that, curious,
he decided to
follow them. As
he got closer,
he noticed that
other kids were
going there too.
Arriving at the
shed, he
stopped,
worried. Would
there be someone
charging
admission? If
there were, he
had no money to
pay. He was
reassured,
however, when he
saw a pretty
girl at the door
smiling and
saying,
- Welcome! Come
in and take a
seat!
 |
Just then, as
she saw a very
poor boy crying,
right in front
of Leonard, she
bent down and
comforted the
boy, wiping his
tears. Leonard
was impressed
with the care
that she showed.
He entered and
sat at a large
table, where
there were other
boys. Soon, the
pretty girl
called for
silence and
spoke aloud:
|
|
- In this house,
all we do is in
the name of
Jesus, who gave
us all we
have. So we
thank Him for
the blessings
that we have
received. |
The children
were silent and
she said a
beautiful
prayer, thanking
Master Jesus for
that House, for
giving them
opportunities to
work, and also
for the gifts
they received
from generous
hearts, which
allowed them to
help the
children present
there.
After the
prayer, they
began serving a
delicious
soup. As Leonard
was hungry, he
ate and even had
seconds, with
satisfaction. After
all were
finished, the
workers gave
everyone a bag
with candy and
assorted sweets.
Leonard was
delighted. He
felt so well in
that
environment,
with those
people, that he
felt like
staying
there. When
children began
to leave, he
approached the
pretty girl and
asked:
- Do you always
do this?
- Receiving the
kids and
distributing
soup? Yes, every
week.
|
- Why?
- Because we
have received a
lot from Jesus
and we must
learn to share
with those who
have less than
us. And at
Christmas
season, people
are most
generous and we
have more to
share. What is
your name?
- Oh
... Leonard.
- Nice
to meet
you,
Leonard. I
am
Renata. Children
and
young
people
who
|
 |
|
come
here are
very
poor and
usually
have
nothing
at home. |
Therefore, we
ask people of
good will to
help us and,
with the result
of the
collection, we
make the soup
and when we have
things like
clothing, shoes
and candy, we
share with
everyone.
Leonard said
goodbye to
Renata and left
quickly. He did
not want her to
see how
emotional he
got.
Back home,
thinking about
the situation of
those children
he had met,
Leonard came to
a conclusion:
he, who
complained so
much about life,
had it all. In
fact, he lacked
nothing, only
those luxuries
that the other
kids had and he
also wanted. All
of that,
however, now,
seemed so vain!
...
A new
understanding of
life involved
him with the
assurance that
nothing was
missing. He
thought of his
parents, who
work so hard to
give him
everything, and
an immense
gratitude
towards them
came over his
heart.
Upon entering
the house, he
saw his family
together and
thanked Jesus
for his parents
and sister.
- Where were
you, my son? We
have been
looking for you
for hours! -
asked his mother
anxiously.
- Do not worry,
Mom, I'm
fine! In fact, I
have never been
better in all my
life! - he said,
hugging her.
 |
Once settled in
their midst, he
said:
- Let me tell
you where I was
today.
He began to
narrate what had
happened. When
he finished,
they were also
moved. He
concluded:
-
Dad! Mom! I
want you
to
forgive
me! I
have
always
been
unfair
to you,
I
thought
I had
nothing. Now
I see
I've
always
had
everything. |
|
Those
kids
have no
food, no
clothes,
and many
of them,
no
family. So,
I would
like to
give
them
some of
the
things
that I
have. |
The parents
agreed,
excited. And
even his beloved
little sister
wanted to help.
The following
week, Leonard
returned to the
shed with his
family and they
brought along a
lot of clothes,
shoes, books and
toys, which had
no more use to
them.
Most
importantly, his
parents also
wanted to
participate in
helping with
what was
necessary.
Renata, very
happily,
embraced them,
smiling:
- Welcome, new
employees of the
harvest of
Jesus!
And when
Christmas Day
arrived,
gathered in
their modest
home, the family
celebrated the
coming of Jesus
to the world,
with their
hearts filled
with deep joy,
because of the
new activity of
helping others
they had
started.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
21/11/2011.)
