THE SCALE

A poorly dressed woman with a sad face entered a store, humbly approaching the owner to ask if she could take a few ítems on credit. In a soft voice she explained to the owner that her husband was very sick and unable to work, that they had seven children and needed to eat. The shop owner refused to listen and ordered the lady to leave the store immediately.

Knowing firsthand the desperate situation that her family faced, the woman begged: “Please, sir, I will repay you as soon as I am able.” “Please, sir, I will repay you as soon as I am able.” The shop owner said that he could not offer credit to her because he did not offer credit to any of his customers. The shop owner said that he could not offer credit to her because he did not offer credit to any of his customers. Standing nearby was a customer who overheard the exchange between the lady and the shop owner. Standing nearby was a customer who overheard the exchange between the lady and the shop owner.

The customer drew closer and told the owner that he would pay for whatever the lady needed for her family. The customer drew closer and told the owner that he would pay for whatever the lady needed for her family. The store owner, annoyed, turned to the lady and said: The store owner, annoyed, turned to the lady and said: “Do you have a shopping list?” “Do you have a shopping list?” The lady replied, “Yes, sir.” The lady replied, “Yes, sir.” “Very well then,” said the owner, “Place your list on the scale and I will give you in food whatever the list weighs.”

The woman hesitated for a moment as she sheepishly looked inside her purse for a scrap of paper, she wrote something on it and meekly placed the paper on the scale. The woman hesitated for a moment as she sheepishly looked inside her purse for a scrap of paper, she wrote something on it and meekly placed the paper on the scale. The shop owner and the customer were stunned when the scale tipped to the side in which the scrap of paper had been placed and remained that way. The shop owner and the customer were stunned when the scale tipped to the side in which the scrap of paper had been placed and remained that way. The owner, without taking his eyes off of the scale said: The owner, without taking his eyes off of the scale said: “I cannot believe this!” “I cannot believe this!”

The customer smiled and the shop owner started to place foodstuffs on the other side of the scale. The scale did not budge, causing the owner to continue to pile the food until the scale was completely full. The shop owner was astonished. The shop owner was astonished. Finally the owner took the piece of paper and examined it with childlike curiosity. Finally the owner took the piece of paper and examined it with childlike curiosity.

The paper didn’t have a shopping list, written on it was the following prayer: The paper didn’t have a shopping list, written on it was the following prayer: “Dear Lord, you are aware of my needs and I am placing this in your hands.” “Dear Lord, you are aware of my needs and I am placing this in your hands.” The store owner packaged all of the items on the scale and continued to stare in stunned silence. The store owner packaged all of the items on the scale and continued to stare in stunned silence. The grateful woman left the store and the customer gave the owner a $50 bill, saying: “It was worth every penny; now we know the weight that a prayer carries.” The grateful woman left the store and the customer gave the owner a $50 bill, saying: “It was worth every penny; now we know the weight that a prayer carries.”

THE POWER OF PRAYER When you receive this message, say a prayer. This is all that you need to do. This is all that you need to do. Stop for a moment and say a simple and sincere prayer for yourself, for your family and for the person who sent this to you. Stop for a moment and say a simple and sincere prayer for yourself, for your family and for the person who sent this to you. Afterwards, send this message to your friends and family. Don’t beak this beautifully simple prayer chain. Afterwards, send this message to your friends and family. Don’t beak this beautifully simple prayer chain.

If you do break the chain you will only have succeeded in preventing many other people from stopping for a moment to pray for you and for others who need God. Prayer is one of the best gifts that anyone can give us. Prayer is one of the best gifts that anyone can give us. It doesn’t cost a thing, but its rewards are endless and powerful. It doesn’t cost a thing, but its rewards are endless and powerful.

May God bless you!

Dear friends: It pleases me to share these passages, images, and remembrances which I have received and that I know you will appreciate. Those whose authors are known have the pertinent credit reflected; your comments and feedback through the forums that are reflected here will be valued. The distribution of these materials is free and without any commercial purpose. Nonetheless, those of you who do not wish to continue receiving them can note your desire in the appropriate space in this message. It is my intent, however, to promote culture and traditions in a positive manner. Regards, Demetrio Pérez Jr. Listen to Demetrio Pérez Jr’s commentaries, which are broadcast each day on WAQI 710 AM and on