Yet as a child, I remember liking to listen to life stories told by war veterans and by individuals who had suffered hunger and homelessness in the 1940’s. But the most fascinating stories were those I heard after my conversion, from older brethren who had experienced religious persecution in Europe. I am grateful that, back then, we as youth were mingling with the elderly, giving us a unique opportunity to learn realities we may never have had a chance to benefit from again. The most common way to learn a trade, back then, was by assisting, without pay, a professional. Boys and girls, ultimately interested also in romantic relationships eventually, would get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses in a real life setting during workshops that would combine trade and socialization.
Perhaps I’m being carried away here by nostalgia for a moment, but the point I’m trying to make is that we need to improve the way we interact with one another, to use our capacities for the benefit of all around us. By investing first in our relationship with God—who will become the source of all—we have something wonderful that we can pass on to our family, our church family, to friends, and to those who might not enjoy the privileges we have and who need salvation. May these articles be a blessing to all of you!
—Adrian Finaru
