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Charlie was a
very poor boy.
His family was
honest and good
but always went
through many
hardships.
Whenever Charlie
complained his
father, who was
a man of faith,
would answer:
- Son, a little
with God is more
than enough for
us. It is better
to have peace of
mind than to
live tormented
in the world.
Have faith,
everything will
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change.
Let us
trust in
Jesus. |
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- But, dad, you
could get
another job! Our
neighbour said
they are moving
to a better
house because
his father got a
new job now.
- I know, son.
However, our
neighbour has an
education and I
do not. I must
content myself
with what I can
do - his father
sorrowfully
answered.
Appalled with
that situation,
Charlie grew up
determined to
change his
life.
Some years
later, after his
parents died, he
left his
hometown to go
to a big city.
He worked hard
to pay for his
studies but he
was victorious.
He became a
lawyer and began
working at a law
firm.
And money
started to pour
in. Charlie
accept any job,
even if it was
not morally
correct.
Thus he became
rich. He got
married, started
a family and a
couple of kids
came to brighten
his home.
However, Charlie
worked hard and
had no time for
a well-deserved
rest. Often
during the
night, he was
called to meet a
client who had
been arrested.
Resources
continued to
arrive,
abundantly. Now
they lived in a
good
neighbourhood of
the city, in a
real palace. In
need of greater
security, they
had to install
an alarm system
along the
property walls,
which were high
already.
They felt more
protected
against burglary
but because of
Charlie's kind
of work he also
had to hire
bodyguards for
him, his wife
and their
children.
Despite the
beautiful home
and all of those
things, no one
was happy! The
children
complained that
they could not
play freely with
their friends.
The wife
complained that
despite the
lovely pool, she
could not
sunbathe during
the day, and at
night could not
see the starry
sky in that city
where pollution
covered
everything.
- What are you
guys complaining
about? - he
retorted unhappy
- we now have
everything we
could want! We
are envied by
everyone. My
parents, if they
were still
alive, would
surely be proud
of me!
The wife and
children would
resignedly lower
their heads
because no good
ever came from
contradicting
him.
However, deep
down, Charlie
also was not
happy. He felt
pressure from
all sides. The
celebrities,
politicians and
even criminals,
who were his
clients, gave
him no peace and
made constant
threats. They
paid well but
required him to
forget his
self-respect and
dignity to
satisfy their
whims.
One day, Charlie
dreamed of his
old father who
looked at him
with deep pity
and said:
- You feel like
a winner, son.
You got
everything you
have ever
wanted. Are you
happy now?
Charlie felt
reproach in his
father's eyes
but also a lot
of compassion.
- No, dad. I'm
not happy – he
acknowledged as
he hung his head
and let bitter
tears ran down
his face.
- Well then,
son, there is
always time to
change. In times
of difficulty do
not forget the
Lord who is
always ready to
receive us in
His loving arms.
Trust!
The next
morning, Charlie
woke up certain
that he needed
to change his
life. He did not
remember the
dream, but his
father's
warnings were
written in his
mind.
He sat at the
breakfast table
more excited.
The wife and
children were
surprised.
- What happened,
honey? You look
different today!
- asked Clara.
- I have some
ideas in my
head. I think
you will enjoy
them. But they
are a surprise!
Arriving at the
luxurious
office, Charlie
began to take
action. He
called a few
contacts during
that day and did
not meet any
client.
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A week later he
invited the
family to go on
a short trip.
Mysterious, he
just said that
they would visit
his hometown.
Arriving at
their
destination, a
small friendly
country town,
Charlie led them
through the calm
and quiet
streets; he
showed them the
important places,
the
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businesses,
the city
club and
the
school.
After
taking
the
direction
of a
residential
neighbourhood,
he
stopped
in front
of a
simple
but
comfortable
house.
At the
entrance,
a
beautiful
flower
garden
received
them. |
Clara asked
curiously:
- Whose house is
this, dear?
The husband
invited them to
go in,
pretending not
to hear the
question. He
took the key
from his pocket
and opened the
door.
The house was
large and
spacious. It was
a masterpiece of
good taste. They
walked through
the rooms,
living rooms,
bedrooms,
bathrooms,
kitchen. After
seeing the
inside they went
to the backyard,
which delighted
the kids. Seeing
that his family
had enjoyed it,
Charlie
explained:
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- This is our
home! I bought
it for us to
live in. Here,
my children, you
can play with
your friends,
your mother can
walk around town
without any
problems. All
with freedom.
That school is
where you will
study. It is a
very good one!
Besides all
these advantages,
we can always
still see the
blue sky!
- And what about
your office,
dear?
- I sold my part
to my partners.
And I have
already got a
good location to
open
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my own
office here. I'll
have less work
but more dignity
and self-respect.
Moreover, we can
collaborate in
the community,
helping needy
charities like
you have always
dreamed, dear.
That is, if you
accept all this!
- he said,
relieved and
happy. |
The four hugged
happy. Seeing
them smile in
approval and
with tears in
his eyes,
Charlie
murmured:
- I feel that my
parents should
also be happy
with these
changes. Thank
God, we have a
new life from
now on with the
blessings of
Jesus. We will
return to the
big city only to
pack our things
and move out.
Here, we will be
happy, I'm sure!
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
04.03.2013.)
