 |
Once upon a
time, a young
and very
hardworking man
called Americo
managed to grow
his small
business and
make money by
buying and
selling goods.
He worked so
much to expand
his store that a
few years later
he was rich.
However, Americo,
enthused about
the easy money
that he was
making, thought
of nothing
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but
making
more and
more.
His
worried
father,
Antonio,
always
warned
him by
saying: |
- Son, what good
is to make as
much money as
you do if you do
not have time
for anything
else? Material
wealth is not
everything in
life! Have you
gone out to have
some fun lately?
Have you prayed
lately?
At what Americo
would respond
with a laugh:
- Dad, money is
not everything
but buys
anything. I need
to build my
future while I'm
young!
Do not worry, if
I have some
spare time I
will pray. As
for fun, work
already gives me
great
satisfaction.
The father would
looked at him
serious and full
of pity.
Sometime later,
Americo met a
very pretty girl
named Celeste,
and before long
they got
married. Soon
their beautiful
baby daughter
Aline was born,.
Aline was
growing up
graceful and
beautiful to the
delight of all.
However, despite
loving his
daughter very
much, Americo
had no time for
her nor his
wife.
The grandfather
was a great
companion and
friend of Aline
because when the
girl would ask
her father to
take her out, he
responded:
- I can't, dear.
I've got to
work. Either mom
or grandpa will
take you, okay?
The girl was sad
because she
deeply loved
father who never
had time for
her.
Although his
opinion had no
value to his
son, on one
occasion Antonio
said:
- My son, life
is passing by
and you don't
even notice it.
You don't have
time for
anything. Not
for your family,
nor for religion
and even for
yourself. Jesus
was quite clear
when He said:
“What shall it
profit a man to
gain the whole
world and lose
his own soul?”
[1]
But Americo
would listen to
his father
without giving
any importance
to his words.
One day Aline
wanted to go to
the movies and
her father could
not take her. As
Celeste was also
busy, her
grandfather
accompanied her.
They had barely
left the house
when, at
crossing the
street, a car
came at high
speed through
the red light
and hit Aline.
She was thrown
into the air and
landed on the
asphalt. Her
grandfather
realizing that
the car would
not stop at the
red light even
tried to hold
her but there
was not enough
time.
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Everything was
very fast.
Someone called
the ambulance,
which came in a
few minutes
while people
flocked to see
what had
happened.
Americo's father
called him. Soon
Celeste and him
arrived at the
hospital where
Aline had been
taken.
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The desperate
parents wept.
When the doctor
entered the
waiting room,
Americo made a
point of saying:
- Doctor, do
everything you
can for my
daughter. Money
is no problem
for us. I'll pay
whatever it
takes to get my
daughter well
again! Any
amount!
- Calm down,
Americo. Money
is not
everything in
life. I just saw
her. The girl
needs to undergo
surgery. Then I
will come back
to talk to you -
said the doctor,
heading quickly
to the surgical
centre.
As they were
alone, Americo
asked his father
how the accident
had happened and
Antonio obliged:
- There was no
time for
anything, son!
It was all very
fast! Let's
pray. I trust
that God, who is
our Father, will
certainly help
us in this time
of great
hardship.
Americo heard
him but remained
silent. There
had been so many
years since he
had last prayed
that he no
longer knew how
to say a prayer!
In the waiting
room Americo
started saying
loudly while
crying:
- What good was
so much work and
sacrifice in
order to make a
lot of money, if
now I may lose
my darling
daughter, the
sun of my
existence? If
she dies,
nothing else
will matter.
Nothing.
 |
Antonio
approached his
son, put his
hand on his
shoulder,
comforting him:
- My son,
believe! The
important thing
now is to
elevate our
thoughts to God,
imploring his
protection for
our dear Aline,
who is in need.
And there,
holding hands,
Americo and
Celeste followed
Antonio's prayer
asking God to
save
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that
lovely
creature,
that was
now
undergoing
surgery,
so that
her
condition
would
not be
serious
and that
she
could
soon
recover. |
Sometime later,
the doctor came
back stating
that the surgery
was a success,
that Aline was
well and could
soon go to a
room. They
thanked the
doctor and
embraced
themselves,
relieved and
happy.
The next
morning, the
father kissed
Aline and said:
- Dear daughter,
forgive me for
all those times
I did not pay
you attention.
Starting today,
I will devote
myself more to
our family,
which is so
important to me
but I relegated
to abandonment
while chasing
money.
Everything will
change, I
promise!
They embraced
emotionally and
Americo asked:
- Let's pray to
Jesus and thank
him for
answering our
request?
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
28/01/13.)
[1]
Mark, chapter 8,
verse 36.
