Skip to main content

Salvation Stories: Marco's Miracle. Free Inspirational Short Story.

 


Salvation Stories: Marco's Miracle


Marco waited in the dark alley alongside the corner supermarket. He blended in easily with the dark shadows in his black hoodie and jeans. A stray dog came snuffling down the alley, and he almost lost his nerve. The dog, who was obviously looking for a meal, looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Sorry, boy. You and me are in the same boat. Best go ask someone else. Leave me to do what I've got to do."

Marco counted down the minutes until five to nine, then he crept along to the street. The last customers were leaving the building. If only the stupid dog would leave him alone. Mr Cantrillo would be cashing up around now. Marco planned to just wave his knife around a bit. He wouldn't be greedy or hurt Mr Cantrillo. No. He'd just ask for a few hundred. Enough to buy food for himself, his mother and his sisters. 

The minutes ticked by, and Marco cursed softly. The dog with the pleading eyes was whining. Marco wanted to give it a kick, but thought better of it. The dog would yelp if he did that.

He groaned inwardly. Mr Cantrillo was locking the front door of his shop. He was too late.

The middle-aged man glanced down the alley as he passed. "Hi Marco. Did you need something? I can open the shop for you if you like."

"Naw," Marco looked down at his feet. "Got no money."

"Is that your dog? He looks hungry. Tell you what, come with me, Marco, I've got some dog food in the back that just expired. It should still be fine."

Marco nodded and followed him inside. This was his chance. His stomach twisted into a knot. Why did Mr Cantrillo have to be so nice?

Marco waited while the shop keeper made his way to the back of the shop. The dog could have his free meal, Marco figured. He had helped him to get into the shop.

He grew impatient as he waited. Surely it didn't take that long to grab some dog food. Finally, Mr Cantrillo appeared with a smile on his face and a couple of bags in his hands

"Here we go, Marco. There's a bag of dog food, and a bunch of tins and dry goods. Maybe you can put them to good use. I can't sell them, but they're still good to eat. How's your mom by the way? And the girls? I haven't seen them for a while."

Marco tried hard, but he couldn't stop the tears from falling down his cheeks. He swiped at them with the sleeve of his hoodie. "Why would you want to help us, Mr Cantrillo? Why are you being so kind? I sure don't deserve it."

Mr Cantrillo smiled as he patted the sixteen year old on the shoulder. "Well, Marco, Jesus whispered to me that you and your family could use them. It's as simple as that."

Not quite so simple, thought Marco, guiltily, but he stuttered his thanks several times as Mr Cantrillo locked up the shop once more. 

The little dog trotted along beside Marco to the apartment where he lived with his family. 

"Mama, you wouldn't believe what happened." Marco placed the bags on the table, and told his mother how Mr Cantrillo had given him, and the stray dog food. He left out the part about his earlier intentions to rob the kind shop keeper. 

Three pairs of eyes looked on wide-eyed as Marco opened the bag of dog food, then poured a generous helping into a plastic bowl for his new friend who was waiting patiently. Then he unpacked the rest of the groceries. Marco's mother cried as she held tins of meat and vegetables.

He was about to crumple the bags up, when he saw one more item. It was a small booklet, and when Marco saw the title, he went out onto the little balcony where they hung their washing.

His heart beat faster as he re-read the title slowly: "Tonight Could Be Your Last Chance." He sat on a plastic stool, and ignoring his empty stomach, he read the booklet from cover to cover. Then later, as he lay in bed, with the little dog at his feet, he allowed Mr Cantrillo's Jesus to fill his empty heart, and to become his Jesus too.


🩷🩷🩷🤗🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏

Thanks for popping in and for reading Marco's Miracle. Do you believe in miracles? The greatest miracle is the new birth that Jesus gives us when we repent of our sins and trust in His death on the cross to save us. 

Will you trust Him today?

You are welcome to e-mail me if you have any questions. If you'd like to find out more about Jesus, start reading the Bible at the Book of John in the New Testament. If you don't have a Bible, you may like to download the Bible App.🩷🩷🩷🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗


Love and prayers, 


Alison.


Photo credit: David Rangel. Unsplash

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Conversation. A Free Short Story

  The Conversation  Gavin was so absorbed in his book, that he barely noticed that the train had stopped at a station. "Mind if I sit here?" He looked up. A young woman with friendly freckles across her nose and wide brown eyes stood in the aisle. He nodded, then smiled faintly and she quickly stowed her large backpack. "I'm Sybil." The young woman offered. "Thanks." "No problem. Travelling to Barton?"  "Nope. It's Dunmore I'm headed for. You?" "Same." Gavin was cautious. He wasn't sure he felt like a chatty companion. He'd been looking forward to finishing his book. It had hooked him from the first chapter. But thankfully, Sybil didn't bubble on. She just smiled before taking her own book out.  Gavin went back to his reading, not without noticing that it was a Bible that Sybil had opened. Unusual.   Sybil glanced towards him. She liked to study people, and would often strike up a conversation in the ho...

The Searching: A Free Inspirational Story

  The Searching: A Free Inspirational Story Dear Readers, Here is a gift from me to you. "The Searching" is a story which has been puttering around in my heart for awhile. It nearly didn't get written though, as I was a bit unsure as to whether I could get it to work. But God is faithful, and He gave me both the inspiration and the words. There were a few times when I nearly gave up, but now, I'm so glad that I didn't. It's one of my favourites, and I hope that you enjoy it too.  *** Previous cover The Searching: A Novella *** By Alison Lawrence *** Copyright Copyright owner: Alison Lawrence. 2024 All rights reserved. "The Searching" is a work of fiction with a true message. :) Bible quotation from: The Amplified Bible, Copyright ©️ 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987, by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Dedication *** To Venetia💕💕💕 *** Chapter One Tirsa glanced around the field to see where her brother Detta was. Sh...

Too Much. Thoughts of a Mom

  Too Much Dear Reader, So often, I have felt this way: that I simply cannot make it. The burdens have grown too heavy. The pain is too great. The disappointment too crushing. It seems like every morning I take some time to feel very sorry for myself. No. I simply do not have the strength for anything. Perhaps staying in bed would be a good idea. But then, I remember. He has reminded me many times. "Give each load you carry to Me. Put it in a basket and float it on the Nile. Bring it to the strong tower. It will be safe with Me. Place it on the Rock which cannot move. Lay your burdens at the foot of the cross. Lay them in My arms." Yes, Lord. I will . "Good." And then another whisper: "Just one day, child. Just one step at a time." Yes, Lord, I can do that with You at my side, holding my hand. But Lord, what about tommorow? "Don't worry, child. We will do this again each morning. And you will make it. One day at a time." *** Matthew 11:28. ...