An anecdote of the people who lost hope on everything but God

Characters

v John and Jessica- A couple who came to Church to tell their tale about the miracle that happened in their lives.

v Robert –A man who almost died but survived because of the miracle that happened in his life.

v Priest – A priest in Church.

v Location – Geneva, Switzerland

Priest:

God helps everyone in this world who looks for him. But do you think He will come before you and tell you what to do? NO, The Master, Almighty will not directly come to us. Instead, He will help us through other people or through His miracles. For the whole world it will be just some anomaly in the climate or something weird that has happened because of some scientific reason. But, for those benefited from that anomaly is undeniably a miracle in their lives, God’s solution for their problems and His answers for their questions. Today we have a happy couple John and Jessica who were blessed by the Almighty and Robert, who survived because of God’s miracle. Both of them are here to tell their story. 

Jessica:

I met this boy John the first time when I joined a new school and he used to be very calm, confused and fearful. He used to speak a little and with a low voice. But he had beautiful eyes with brown hair and was very tall and handsome. I hesitated to speak with him as I did not know how he would take it. Once we went to a school picnic and this boy was fishing with other friends. I somehow dared to go near him and asked him if he can teach me fishing. I never knew that he was so naïve in fishing tactics. In my heart, I was laughing about the way he was trying to teach me. He hesitated to look into my eyes, but somehow dared to hold my hand. It was the first time I liked someone at first sight. My friends used to tease me about the incident and I told them he was just a friend. Every day we used to talk and slowly he started showing his humorous side. Little did I know that he had a great sense of humor?

We had to part our ways when we got admissions in different colleges and though we kept in touch via emails and chatting, the distance gradually increased. Then I met another guy in my class who was very handsome and we were partners during our lab sessions. Slowly he started diverting my attention towards him. But somewhere in my heart I still had feelings for John.

When I completed my studies I was completely fond of my classmate and started ignoring John. But it always puzzled me as why John always was the same, even though I ignored him. Sometimes I used to think it may be because he truly loves me. But again I used to tell myself that no way he can be interested in me.

Once I went to John’s village to attend his mother’s funeral. He was quite upset and crying. My heart was filled with pain as I have never seen John so upset. But I had to go back and so was leaving the village. Then he opened his heart and told me about his feelings. I was confused, but I covered my feelings and just left without saying anything as he was already in such a pain.

Then I had many questions in my mind whether to marry my classmate who was very rich and had great position in the society or to marry John who did not possess much.  I could find true love in John’s eyes. But when my classmate proposed me for marriage that weekend and I could not say NO.  It was always haunting me how John would take this. I have sent him my wedding invitation and asked him to come before few weeks. He obliged my request and came and seemed to be happy. But I knew he was hiding his feelings.

I do not know why it was always painful for a girl to decide about her future. Then I thought anyways my marriage was fixed with my classmate now and so I should not be having second thoughts. But what will I do if John comes to me and ask again? I might not be able to say NO to him when he looks into my eyes. But at the same time, what about my fiancée who would be arriving in a day? What would I answer him? Even I was feeling that thing in my heart which was unexplainable. He should have at least told me when I was in college. That should have been a great thing in my life and would have jumped with joy. Now it’s too late. At the same time, my feelings for him have increased more. I have no one to consult and prayed to God to help me in deciding my destiny. But in one day, how could that be possible? I had no idea about what will happen. But I remembered what he said. If you believe in God, He will definitely help. So I prayed Him to show me the way as I was unable to decide what to do and how. I completely turned everything into His hands.

John:

Hi, I am John and this is my story about God’s miracle in my life. I currently live in Geneva, Switzerland and I am a Computer Scientist. I had a bitter childhood and was ridiculed by everyone. I used to live near a small village near Geneva in my childhood. My mother was a religious woman and she always taught me one thing i.e. God will be watching from the skies and will definitely help those who believe in Him. I have always trusted in what she said. I never had many friends and thus I always spent time with my mother. When my mother was at work, I used to talk with God, although He never responded to me anytime. I was mocked by everyone when I told that I speak with God and He was my Best Friend after my mother.

When I was in my 9th grade on one nice day, I met this girl, Jessica. She was very beautiful with a bright smile, smart and helpful. The first time I saw her, I felt stars twirling around her and her smile was very infectious. It was exactly like how they show in the movies. That day after going home I told God that I saw an angel and asked Him if He sent her for me. But, as usual He did not respond. I thought it may so.

Once, all our classmates went for a school picnic. Some of us were fishing at the lakeside. All of the sudden I heard a mesmerizing sweet voice and I turned back. To my surprise it was Jessica and she asked me to teach her fishing. All other people around me got surprised. This was first time someone came and spoke with me so nicely. It was my first experience of talking to her. I felt proud as if I have achieved the greatest thing in the world. I taught her whatever little I knew and then onward we started talking at the school everyday. She used to tell about her childhood and about her parents. All of the sudden my life turned out to be beautiful. I told my mother about Jessica and she advised me not to get diverted too much and asked me to concentrate on studies. But, I could not stop thinking of her. And we became very close friends. I did not think of anything more than friendship as getting such a nice friend itself was a great miracle
in my life. But deep in my heart I developed feelings for her. Sometimes, she used to go out with her parents for a week or so. And I used to miss her so much in those days and it used to become unbearable for me to live alone.

After our schooling, we got admissions into different colleges and got separated. That day, it was painful for me when she left our village to pursue her further studies. We used to chat and send emails but slowly the distance increased. I became a Computer Scientist after completing my studies and she became a doctor and was working at a government hospital. Whenever I think of her, I always felt that I cannot afford to lose her. She was my best friend and a best friend can always become a good wife. But again I thought it may hurt our relationship too. Before I could tell her about my love, my mother became unwell and she expired. Hearing the news, Jessica came to our home and consoled me. She stayed for a week. I could not stop myself and the next week while she was going back I have opened my mind to her about my love. She smiled and went off without answering anything. Once again, I became alone and having lost my mother I turned back to God. Though He never responds, I got a faith in him after I met Jessica. I realized maybe He needs a medium through which he can show His love for me. I
was afraid Jessica can never be mine!!.

Then one day I got an invitation and when I opened the invitation, it was her wedding. The wedding was on January 28, 2005. I got the invitation on January 02, 2005 and I was very upset. As a best friend she wanted me to come few weeks ahead so that I can help her with her planning. Though I was very upset but equally excited because she was the only person on this earth whom I love so much. So, I hid my feelings and went to her place on January 17, 2005. The groom was her classmate, where she studied her medicine and he was working at some hospital in USA. After marriage they planned to move to USA completely. After I heard about this, it was like a very big rock falling on my chest and the pain increased uncontrollably. Though she was observing me, she did not say anything and was busy with other friends planning the things for wedding.

All of the sudden I felt like I was alone again in this world. Then I told her that I have some work to complete and will return 2 or days before her marriage. She said fine and I left the place. It was a heart breaking moment for me and I could not go to office. I stayed at home. Then I remembered what my mother said about God. But many questions arose in my mind. Like will He truly help me if I ask Him? Does He truly exist? Or was it my just my madness to believe in God? Would it be petty thing to ask Him about helping me to get Jessica back? How can I trust Him if I do not see Him? I kept on asking these questions again and again. Then I realized anyways there would be nothing to lose and so better ask Him to help me. Because I have nothing in my mind that can help to change her mind and to marry me. I had the strong feeling that God would definitely help me as He was the one who introduced Jessica into my life.

Then I came back to her place on January 24, 2005. She informed me that the groom would be arriving on the morning of 25^th January and I should receive him in person. I had no other option other than saying YES. Somehow all the strength that I have gained suddenly collapsed and my heart could not take it anymore. So, I have decided I will go away today night without anyone’s notice. I could not bear this pain anymore and cannot pretend to be happy. God did not help me anyways and how can He be present when His existence was in question. I was almost mad since few weeks and future seemed to be gloomy and unpredictable without her.

Jessica:

On January 25th the local weather forecast has announced that there will be massive cold storm across Switzerland and soon all the lakes would freeze. All the flights were cancelled. We received a call from USA that my fiancée would not be able to come and the wedding has to be postponed. All of a sudden everything got changed. As per the news channels, this has never happened in the history of the country and it was the first time it was going to happen. I got puzzled and started thinking what could bring this sudden change. So all my friends left my home except John. John wanted to stay back. Within 3 days, what were supposed to be my wedding preparation days had become idle days in my life. No one could go out and I could see all the trees turning to look like crystal monuments. There were no way of transportation available for John to go his village back.

We sat together and talked about how we met and then in the night, all of the sudden he asked me to stop talking. Then he turned towards sky and closed his eyes. I asked him what he was doing. He said nothing. But I insisted. Then he said since 15 years, the day after he met me, he never forgot to say thanks to God for introducing me in his life. He said that there was not a single moment that he could not think of me. He said he started saving money so that he can buy a house and start a new life with me. I could see his true love in his eyes. But I asked myself was this true love that I was sensing or was it because of the movies that I watch. His face was bright and he started smiling. I did not understand what happened to him all of the sudden. Then he told me that God listened to his prayer and so gave this opportunity to be with me which he never would have got, had the wedding not been postponed. He was happy that at least he got an opportunity to be with me for few days and mentioned that he could live cherishing these moments for the rest of his life. Then we talked the whole night and I realized that was the happiest moment that I ever had in my life.

Soon we both realized maybe this had to happen so that we can go back to our past and express our feelings clearly. The environment was filled with lot of emotions. The most amazing moment was when I told him that I had crush on him the first time I saw. He felt shy and looked the same as when I saw him for the first time but this time with a wide smile. I would never have understood his love had this has not happened. The time I spent with him has given me enough confidence that I can live happy forever if he is around me. I was unnecessarily running after money and of course I realized it was an infatuation. I thought after having all these discussions, he would ask me again to marry him. But I thought how can he when I already broke his heart. But still, I felt something bothered him and he was not disclosing. Finally I have decided to break the ice and so I told him that once this all will be over, I would be announcing my wedding date
again. Then he became silent and sad. Then I told him that it would be our wedding and hearing this he became mad. I told him that no one can keep me happy more than him and also told that this would not have happened had he expressed his love before. He was puzzled and equally happy. He could not believe his ears. He kissed me and ran outside screaming loud like a mad person with overwhelming joy. Due to dense ice outside everywhere, he fell down on his back. All of the sudden it was silent and he struggled to get up. 

I had to keep hot pack on his back every morning and night and it took 5 days for everything to come back to normalcy, for both to his back and the weather.

John and Jessica:

We both had a beautiful time together and understood the mysterious ways of God responding to our prayers by having unusual climate all of a sudden. We believed it was His miracle because of which we had this happy ending. Nothing in this world happens without a cause. If I tell others that God did this for us, they would not agree to what we say. They would say it was just a coincidence and give some scientific reason behind this. But for us it was a lifetime gift and it’s the answer to John’s trust on the God. Maybe this would have happened to help many others like us who are in chaos and prayed for HIS help.

Robert:

Hi, I’m Robert and am now 70 years old. My story is also related to the incident that happened in January, 2005 as mentioned by the couple. But my storyline is different.

I worked for a bank as a bank officer and was living happily with my wife and the two children.Life was so vibrant and joyful till year 2000. Because of the recession as you all would heard of, I lost my job. Then I tried for different jobs but I was overqualified for some and for some jobs, eligible candidates already were in queue.  Because of the sentiment with my hometown, I was not interested to move from that place. My wife and children began to
protest for taking such a bad decision and they wanted me to move out the town.Finally I heeded to their protest and searched a job as an accountant at a local grocery store in a town near Geneva. Though the job was not great, but it helped me to take care of my family.

My kids studied hard and got admissions in colleges outside my town and left us. Though they were able to manage their expenses by doing internships, the money was not sufficient for their education. My wife insisted that I should take a loan and help the kids.I obliged to that request and took a loan and sent the money to the kids. Till then my life was okay if not great.

One fine day, a tall and stout guy entered the grocery store and he asked me to give him the cash out of the chest. I denied and he shot at my head and ran away. Doctors diagnosed me and then gave their decision that because of the gunshot, some of the nerves connecting to the brain have severed and so my legs got paralyzed. I would not be able to walk and also, I would not be able to perform my duties as the efficiency of the brain deteriorated. So, I lost my job and was at home for two years. Suddenly things have changed. My wife used to get irritated to serve me and always cried on her destiny. My kids got their jobs and they used to help us to run our home. Sometimes, they would forget to send the money and I could not ask them to send.

Days have been passing by. Everything around me was changing. My wife sometimes got vexed up serving me, used to go to our kid’s place and live for weeks. Even the kids did not talk with me properly. This happened for one year and whatever trust I had on God almost died. I used to live in seclusion and then I got a chance to read some books from international sellers on the life, spirituality and their belief on God.

My friend who worked with me in the store used to visit me and get these books. He had a great faith in God and sometimes he used to tell his and other people’s experiences who have survived a worst life than mine. His wife and kids were so kind to me that everyday they used to get food for me whenever my wife went to my kid’s place. They used to talk with me with lots of love and affection. This has rebuilt my faith on the God. But with lot of distractions in between whenever something against me happened, I used to lose faith again.

One day my friend asked me that there is a need of a translator for English at a school where some foreign exchange students visit for few months from other countries. They would not be paying much but it will help me to be independent. I thought it was an opportunity given by God and felt sorry that I lost faith him when I was in troubles. I need to translate their assignments into local language and have to convey the remarks in English. My wife laughed at my job and said finally I ended up being a translator.

After two years surviving my life like this, I went for medical tests and doctors mentioned that they did not see any change in my condition. They were afraid that I would not be able to continue doing the current job as my hands were showing symptoms of getting numbness and they would get paralyzed soon. They informed that they have to do a surgery which could cost thousands of Francs that I do not have.  My wife was worried and she asked me to quit the job. One of my sons moved to the town where we lived and we moved to his house. My wife somehow managed to get a job in nearby bank as a teller and they used to keep food and everything before me before leaving to their jobs. It went on like this for one year. I had lot of idle time and so spent those hours being with God and practiced some methods specified in one of the books regarding Eastern meditations to reach God. That gave me lot of solace.

My son got married the following year and he was blessed with a kid. Everyone at home were busy with their jobs and at home playing with kid. No one cared me. It was as if I was not existing anymore. Only they would serve me food and leave me for my destiny. Sometimes I used to bring this to the notice of my wife. One day she said in anger that it would be better if I have died instead of torturing her everyday like this with the words. This statement shocked me and when I recollected all the things that happened in my life, everything appeared disastrous and negativity was felt all around. There was not a single positive sign in my life for hope.

It was January 20, 2005. My wife told me that everyone in the home will be leaving for my second son’s wedding on January 25, 2005 and they would not like to spoil the happy moments by taking me along with them. So they were busy preparing for their travel and no one cared for my presence in the marriage. My second son was a doctor who was working in USA and he would be coming back on 25th of January. But he never wanted to help me and always felt that I was always a burden to the family. My friend visited on the evening of the same day and said that he needs to move to one of his kid’s place forever. If he leaves, then there will be no single soul who would talk to me.

I got frustrated with the situations and totally lost hope on living. I thought I would commit suicide when they leave on January 25th. I thought that would be the only way that I could help my family members to live happily for the rest of their lives. So, I was busy preparing my final note to my family.

On January 24th, I got a letter from the bank that I worked. I did not open it and thought what in this world can help me at this moment of my life. This should be some letter about my bank statement that I must have forgotten to withdraw and it must be not more than 50 francs. So, I just kept it on my desk without opening. With all these things happening, I was doing my prayer every day religiously and on 24th night before sleeping I had a very important talk with God about what I would be doing tomorrow. I had few confessions to make with him and asked him to forgive me for all the wrong things I did in my life and thanked him to have shown me a way to live whenever I lost my job and for always being with me. At the end of my prayer I told him that I do not want to become burden for the family and so I am going to die tomorrow. I brought everything needed to end my life.

My second son called from USA and told my wife and to the other son that he would not be able to come as all the flights were cancelled and it seems there would be a blizzard condition in our place which was unusual and never occurred. So, the next morning I woke up and I see my family members all at home. I asked them why they did not go for the wedding. They told me about the situation and they were very silent. I did not understand what happened. So, I asked my wife about what happened to everyone and she did not say anything. But she was sitting beside me and if she had to go to kitchen or washroom my son watched me. Their behavior was very unusual and no one spoke with me. This happened till evening and then I had to break the silence and shouted at everyone to tell me what was happening.

Then my wife started crying and told that while everyone were busy preparing to go for the wedding, my grandson who was 3 years old took the note I prepared and gave it to my wife thinking that was a travel ticket. Then she read the letter and by that time I retired early to bed.  Then received a call from USA that my second son was not coming and the wedding will be postponed. My wife and son started repenting for treating me all these years badly. Then the unusual weather news came true and everyone got stagnated and got stuck at where they were.

That night my wife made a hot soup with corn and salad along with some special dishes. My family never thank God or do any prayer before having dinner. But they prayed that night and asked forgiveness for their acts. Then we all spent that night talking about how we have lived all these years caring about our own lives and not as a family. The things that happened all these years have definitely made me alone but everything has changed in one night. My family apologized for their acts in all these years. They realized what it would be a life without me after they read my note. They started appreciating my sincerity in standing for the family and how the time has turned out bad and everyone became gross and selfish.

Then the next morning I opened the cover that I got from the bank and it has a check for some good amount with a letter. Since I worked as an officer at the bank and now I have crossed 65, I would be eligible for getting pension. Though I lost my job and I did not continue all these years they got orders from the government that whoever has lost the jobs due to recession should be provided the pension and be treated as a regular employee. I have shared this information with my wife and son. They were very happy and they asked me to use the amount for my surgery and lead normal life.

Then I realized that though for everyone it was blizzard weather, but for me it was an opportunity to live a new life. It was as if I was reborn with the family who cares for me. I forgot everything that happened all these years and since it took 10 days for the weather to become normal we got sufficient time to talk, to have fun living together. Sometimes, I feel families should spend at least a week once in a while talking together that would help re-bonding and rebuilding the lives and live rest of the year cherishing those beautiful moments. In this competitive world, we work like donkeys and forget that we have a family who wants our love and affection and ultimately it becomes late before we realize what we lost.

After one week my second son called me and asked me to forgive him for his mistake. He started crying and told me sorry that he has ignored me and with the sudden life of riches he made in short time he forgot everything I did for him. I consoled him and told him that this was a lesson that we were supposed to learn and we all learnt and so we should be happy. Then he also told that he loved a girl called Jessica who was his classmate. He infatuated her with his position that he got and though she was not interested at the beginning but trapped her somehow. He added that God punished him for his mistakes and the wedding got cancelled and Jessica would be marrying her childhood friend who loved her as she was. He also added that his manipulations could not win over her true love she got and he realized this all has happened because of his ill treatment of me. I told him though it has caused pain but still he was a dear to me.

Now here I am before you all standing up on my legs. I now work for an old age home reading books, telling stories about faith, God and inspire them to look God for solutions for their problems. As the couple here have beautifully mentioned God does not come to you directly and talk to you. He will choose a medium as someone else. Because of Jessica’s breakup with my son, he realized his mistake and he became a human being. Because of the sudden weather change, we all got back our loved ones. It is evident that love is always hiding in everyone’s heart and God is the love that we often forget to express. By forgetting we are not killing love in our heart but God who is living in the form of love. Unless we realize that we can never understand love and till we do not understand love, we cannot understand God. Till you cannot understand God, you cannot understand that He is always with you and helping you through some way or the other.

Priest:

These two beautiful stories bring before us the following conclusions:

v  True love always wins over any greatest thing in this world.

v  God always love us and to know that we need to bring out the love hidden in our hearts to outside. That is try to love and help others in need. By displaying love, you are showing the existence of God.

v  Whatever happens in this world is for betterment of the humanity and God always tries to help us.But we humans are occupied with greed and disappointments often forget about our families and show our anger on them.

v  In these two stories, that blizzard weather gave two families a new life, a hope to live, not just to live but live with confidence that the most positive element God is living with them and no matter what He will be helping them. For others, it is just another incident that happened in the world.

v  We need to spread this message to everyone and bring happiness in their lives by realizing love is important than anything in the world and everything comes next.