144- The New John

 In a small village lived John the fisherman. He was a heavy drunkard who spent all his money on drinking while his wife and children lived miserably. His wife used to work as a housemaid to earn daily living. The wife along with the relatives tried to prevent John from drinking but in vain. He could not stop it, careless of his health and the needs of his family. He met a believer who talked to him about God’s great love for him and the price which Christ has paid to save him. He attracted John’s heart to Heavens to find in it his fullness, joy and inner peace. He no longer suffered from emptiness, isolation and such feelings which led him to drunkenness.

John stopped drinking and began to work seriously as a fisherman giving all his earnings to his family and the needy. His family no longer lived in need; therefore, they opened their hearts as well as their house to the needy and the broken hearted.

Once his wife asked him if it was possible to change their house for, it was inconvenient for bringing up their children. He agreed. As he met a house owner he asked him to rent his house. The house owner said, “Honestly, I can’t let you rent my house.”

“Why?”

“I don’t guarantee that you would pay the monthly rent.”

“Why do you judge me so? Do you know me?”

“Yes.”

“Did you deal with me before?”

“No, but I know that you spend all your money on wine.”

At the moment, John took out some golden coins from his pocket saying, “I’m not a drunkard. God’s blessing fills my life and my home and I no more buy wine by the grace of God.”

The owner of the house was surprised on seeing the golden coins.

“This John you are speaking about is dead.” John said. “The new John has risen with Christ the giver of resurrection. You were astonished when you saw the golden coins but if you saw my inner heart you will find wonders. In it there is the invaluable kingdom of God. I’m a new creation in Jesus Christ my Savior. His Holy Spirit works within me. He let me rest in His Father’s bosom. Behold, all my life is renewed”

The house owner rejoiced and gave John the keys under no condition saying, “I’m pleased that you’ll dwell in my house, New John.”

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: يوحنا الجديد.

May Your light shine in me,

So that I kindle with the love of heavens.

May I not be drunkard with the world,

So that I can realize Your love.

Grant me a new heart, a new thought,

A new name and a new mansion.

Long Whose Chair is this? Glories are waiting for me!

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

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