Thursday, May 16, 2024

Orthodox Parables and Stories: "I looked at him and could not believe my ears" The story of a miracle




Sometimes miracles happen in my life. And then I see clearly: someone great and unknown put his hand on it. Maybe an angel? I don't know ... I want to share such a miracle with you.

It was in the winter, late at night, in a terrible snowstorm. After painting the painting and washing the brushes, I was returning home from the workshop. I was in a hurry, because the family was waiting for me at home. But the blizzard was so strong, that I could see nothing even three paces away—it was dark, and the thick snow was thickening, swirling, and raging...

And so, reversing, my car hit something in the middle of a street. My stomach exploded. I came out. That's how it happened — I hit someone else's car.

It was a small green jeep, parked in the middle of the yard, covered in snow, which means it had been here for a long time. And how badly parked, immediately abandoned. I scratched his bumper, not much, but it was visible. And I see, that my tail light was broken.

I was walking, honking from the car. No one... I walked, I shouted, I called, maybe they will hear me, maybe they will look out the window? The snow swirled blinding my eyes. I call, but I'm shaking all over. And I thought, “Come on, now. Go away. It's his fault — why does he leave his car anywhere?' I got into my car and drove off.

I'm driving, but I feel very uneasy. And this is getting worse and worse. I've already crossed the avenue, but I ache inside. No, you can't do that I thought to myself. So I turn around and come back. I placed a violation notice and my phone on the windshield of the jeep. I went home tired, but already calm.

The next day, the phone rang. It was an old lady who introduced herself as the mother of the owner of this jeep.

— Oh, he always does that to me: he leaves the car in the middle of the yard. The neighbors were already complaining. He is a zoologist, he went on an expedition. Young, in a hurry, you know…

We met with this lady. I gave her fifteen thousand rubles for repairs. Then we left.

And this story would have been forgotten, if not for a wonderful sequel.

I used to go to Moscow in the summer. Suddenly, a friend of mine calls me. She has a problem, she urgently needs money, fifteen thousand. She's asking for help. I park, try to transfer to her card — something isn't working right... I call her.

— I'm sorry, the transfer is not possible. I can not help you.

I went further. And then at the traffic light, while braking, someone hits my rear bumper and breaks my rear tail lights and bumper.

It turned out that the young man who was driving rented the car and couldn't control the brakes.

— I'm sorry, this car is unfamiliar to me, this is my first time renting from an office, — he worries, and gives me the money, — yes, fifteen thousand, take it. I'm late ... let's not call the police, okay?

I hear him, but still he babbles, the poor fellow:

— And what indeed, turned out to be? I am in a hurry to get to the airport, I have already parked my car at home, I have such a green jeep. And I'm going on a mission, I'm a zoologist…

I was standing there looking at him and I couldn't believe my ears. I subtly asked:

— And your car, where is it parked?

— Yes, close to home, in the Dynamo area. There are artist workshops there too, you know?

— Yes. I am aware…

I even felt dizzy at that moment.

"Listen," I told him, "Don't give me the money." You can transfer them to this number if possible. And I dictated my girlfriend's phone number.

He made the transfer.

- Thank you, thank you! - he said, and grabbed the steering wheel again. — Sorry, I'm in a hurry!

Nice guy. Very abstract, but good.

I didn't tell him anything about the miracle. He was in a hurry so I didn't tell him.

But, did you understand what happened?

I hit his jeep and I paid exactly fifteen thousand rubles. And now he gave them back to me. At the right time, when my friend needed exactly that fifteen thousand.

It can't be a coincidence. This is a real miracle. This is the hand of an angel.

“Why did this happen? Probably to help my friend. Apparently, she really needed help.

And why did it happen to me? Maybe the angel decided to reward me like this? For my return to the jeep I hit?

But I think the main point is this: I was gifted this incident for you. So that I can now convey to people the main miracle: for us always, they always care from above. And sometimes they help us carefully.

And they smile at us from there, behind the clouds.

Yes, I told you. I hope you are smiling now too.

Anastasia Kovalenkova

Friday, May 10, 2024

Mother Tamar Marjanishvili, who has the greatest spirituality, gave four instructions to her spiritual sisters:




Mother Tamar Marjanishvili, who has the greatest spirituality, gave four instructions to her spiritual sisters:
- Do not offend anyone,
- Forgive everyone
- Desire nothing for yourself,
- Give thanks to the Lord for everything."
From the book "Ighumeni Tamar Marjanishvili" p. 31

Be wise, and stop the lips of those who speak evil about you with silence, and not with anger and abuse. -St. Anthony the Great


 

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Christ did not cease until the end to correct the one who was about to betray Him



Christ did not cease until the end to correct the one who was about to betray Him. So while He knew that Judas would not give up treason, He did not cease with advice, with favors, with threats, with every method of teaching to restrain him from treason and to restrain him constantly with the word, as with a bridle. And this He did to teach us, that even though we still know in advance that the brothers will not be convinced, we do everything that depends on us, since we will receive our full reward for the advice we gave. - St. John Chrysostom