The Apple of the Eye

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 6Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:1-2, 25-27

Alex lived a well-ordered life, like the clean code he took so much pride in writing. An IT professional, married to Lilian, father of a young girl, his routine was a stable system of work, family, and church service. The commandment of faithfulness was not a burden to him; it was a principle, the “apple of his eye,” something to be protected instinctively.

Simone entered his life in the most unlikely of places: on the committee for a volunteer project to develop a humanitarian aid app. She was the project manager, dedicated, efficient, and with an impressive ability to make everyone feel special. Especially Alex.

“Alex, your logic is brilliant,” she would say in meetings, and he would feel a warmth of recognition that went beyond the professional. She began to contact him outside of work hours with “urgent questions” about the project, which invariably drifted into more personal conversations.

She was a subtle huntress. She shared stories of her “loneliness” amidst success, creating a narrative in which he, the good and stable man, was the only one who understood her. She was never vulgar; her seduction was a perfume, not an assault. She would praise Lilian, his wife, which completely disarmed Alex. “You two have something so precious. Take good care of her.” The irony was the bait.

Alex began to rationalize. “It is for the project. I am just being a good colleague, a good Christian.” But he started hiding the conversations from Lilian. He started waiting for the notification with her name on it. He was allowing a stranger to get too close to the “apple of his eye.”

The trip to implement the app in a remote community was the perfect setting for the kill. During the day, they worked side by side, surrounded by poverty and need, which created a false sense of shared purpose. At night, the team would gather at the small hotel, exhausted.

On one of these nights, Simone called him out to the balcony. “I need some advice,” she said, her voice low, the moon illuminating the vulnerability on her face. She spoke of an “abusive ex-boyfriend,” painting a picture of fragility that awakened Alex’s protective instinct. He felt like the hero of her story.

“You’re such a good man, Alex,” she whispered, moving closer. “So safe.”

At that moment, all the alarms his conscience had been sounding for weeks were silenced by vanity. He was no longer the logical programmer. He was the fool who, flattered, forgot the danger.

What happened next was not an explosion of passion, but a silent, shameful surrender. It was as if he were watching a stranger in his own body.

The next morning, reality hit him with the force of a physical blow. Simone was different. The vulnerability had vanished, replaced by a casual, almost cold, familiarity. She treated him like a colleague, nothing more. There was no drama, no promises, no guilt. Just a silence that accused him.

He looked at himself and saw himself with a horrifying clarity. He had not been her hero; he had been just an item checked off a list, a conquest. The hunt was over.

He was the ox going to the slaughter.

The flight back was torture. Every mile that brought him closer to home was another step toward the life he had set on fire. As he walked into his living room, the smell of his home, his daughter’s drawing pinned to the fridge, the photo of his wedding in the picture frame—everything that was once his source of peace was now his sentence.

Lilian greeted him with a hug. And in that embrace, he fell apart. The guilt broke him.

He did not know if his marriage would survive. He did not know how he would rebuild the trust he had pulverized. He only knew that, in a moment of foolish vanity, he had let the hunter get too close. He had not kept his commandments, had not protected the apple of his eye. And now, like the bird flying into the snare, he was trapped, not knowing that it would cost him his life. The life that he, so carefully, had built.

(Made with AI)

This story is part of my book Everyday Wisdom

https://books2read.com/u/3knogL

Five Pillars

There are five pillars on which a Christian should lean,

Five statements that help the believer stand firm.

These statements are considered fundamental principles,

They are statements that bring Christians closer to the Creator.

The first is Sola Fide, only faith in God can justify,

Having many works and no faith is a useless life.

It is necessary to always have an unshakeable faith in the word of the Lord,

It is necessary to have complete confidence that Jesus is the Savior.

The second, Solus Christus, only Christ can save,

Between human beings and God, only Jesus can advocate.

There is no other way to reach the Lord,

Jesus is and always will be the true and definitive mediator.

The third, Sola Gratia, only grace can save everyone,

God’s Grace is the undeserved favor above his loved ones.

Grace is a gift from God, and no one can deserve it,

It is given to humans because of His great love, power, and mercy.

The fourth, Sola Scriptura, Scripture is the only divine source,

Only in the Word of God is what is necessary for life, of course.

Scripture is divinely inspired and ready to be preached,

On each of its pages, the glory of God is reached.

The fifth, Soli Deo Gloria, glory belongs only to God,

All should glorify only the holy name of the Lord.

The Lord is the only Living God that all should worship,

No one is worthy of any honor or adoration.

Only the Lord should be honored for working salvation.

If everyone reflects on these five points, they will have a new vision,

They will see with greater clarity the Lord Jesus and salvation.

People will see that only God has the power to save,

And only the Word of the Lord will never fade.

This poem is part of the book Christian Poetry Volume VI.

See the book:

https://books2read.com/u/4EBjBl

The King II

Too many battles, Saul was winning,

He conquered the land of many enemies.

All of Israel’s people were overjoyed about it,

Because they had someone to lead them in the way.

 

Soon, the haughtiness of the king appeared,

The command of God, he disobeyed,

He took richness that the Lord did not give instruction,

He was out of the will of God, in another direction.

 

Saul has been rebuked by the prophet Samuel,

This one said that he would not be king over Israel.

God will anoint someone faithful,

One who hears God’s voice, and his wish will do.

 

God said to Samuel to travel through the land,

Samuel will anoint a new God servant.

Until Jesse’s family, Samuel traveled,

And some of his sons, he evaluated,

None of them, God approved.

 

Then came the smallest of all,

That one who was despised by the others.

It came to Samuel the little David.

That one is whom I chose. God said.

Little David was anointed,

And for him, the kingdom of Israel was predicted.

This poem is part of the book Christian Poetry Volume III.

See the book:

https://books2read.com/u/3nG5R5

The Price That Cannot Be Paid

My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching …  For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman … But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away. Proverbs 6:20, 23-24, 32-33

Guilherme’s affair with Juliana did not begin with overwhelming passion, but with boredom. He was a talented architect, married to a good and kind woman. But his marriage had become too comfortable, too predictable. Juliana was the wife of his best friend and business partner, Anderson. And she was fire. An intelligent conversation, a bold smile, an “accidental” touch on the arm during a meeting.

He knew he was walking on hot coals. Every secret coffee, every deleted message, was a live ember under the soles of his shoes. At first, the thrill of the danger numbed him, made him feel alive. He told himself he was a home-wrecker, but that he was smart enough not to get caught.

But the fire one takes into his chest inevitably burns his clothes. The secret began to consume him. He became irritable at home, distant. Lying to his wife, once unthinkable, became his second nature. Lying to Anderson, the man who trusted him like a brother, corroded him with an acidic guilt. The dishonor, the shame, even before being discovered, was already a stain on his soul that would not wash away.

The discovery, when it came, was not through a dramatic confrontation, but through Anderson’s cold intuition. He was a methodical and observant man. He began to notice the glances, the change in Guilherme’s schedule, the way Juliana avoided his touch. He did not explode. He investigated.

Anderson hired a private investigator. Within a week, he had everything: photos, call logs, the address of the apartment where they met. He had proof of the betrayal of his best friend and his wife.

Guilherme only knew the game was over when he arrived at work on Monday and found his office empty. His projects, his files, his personal belongings, all in cardboard boxes in the hallway. Anderson was waiting for him in the conference room. His eyes held no hatred, but a cutting ice that was far more terrifying.

“It’s over, Guilherme,” Anderson said, his voice low and controlled. He tossed a manila envelope onto the table. Inside were the photos.

Panic seized Guilherme. He began to plead. “Anderson, forgive me. It was a mistake, a moment of madness. I can fix this. I’ll pay. What do you want? Money? I’ll give you my share of the firm. I’ll do anything!”

He was acting like a thief caught in the act, trying to restore what he had stolen to escape punishment.

Anderson laughed. A dry, joyless laugh.

“You don’t get it, do you? If you had stolen my money, we could have a deal. But you stole my honor. My life. And for that,” he leaned across the table, his jealousy transforming his face, “there is no ransom. There is no price.”

The fury of the betrayed man was not a punch in the face. It was a meticulously executed revenge. Anderson used the same photos to file for a contentious divorce from Juliana, leaving her with nothing. He called an emergency meeting with their clients, not to expose the affair, but to announce Guilherme’s “sudden departure” from the firm due to “professional incompatibility,” insinuating incompetence. He sent anonymous copies of the photos to Guilherme’s wife.

In a matter of weeks, Guilherme’s life was systematically annihilated. He lost his job, his reputation, his wife, and his best friend. He became a pariah in the city. The wound he had inflicted generated a fury that did not spare in its punishment.

Years later, working as a freelance draftsman in another city, under another name, Guilherme would sometimes look at himself in the mirror. The stain of shame had never disappeared. He had understood, in the most brutal way, the truth of life. One can restore what is stolen. But there are certain things that, once broken, can never be paid for or fixed. The fire he had put in his chest had burned everything, and the ashes were all he had left.

The Price That Cannot Be Paid

My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching …  For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman … But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away. 6:20, 23-24, 32-33

Guilherme’s affair with Juliana did not begin with overwhelming passion, but with boredom. He was a talented architect, married to a good and kind woman. But his marriage had become too comfortable, too predictable. Juliana was the wife of his best friend and business partner, Anderson. And she was fire. An intelligent conversation, a bold smile, an “accidental” touch on the arm during a meeting.

He knew he was walking on hot coals. Every secret coffee, every deleted message, was a live ember under the soles of his shoes. At first, the thrill of the danger numbed him, made him feel alive. He told himself he was a home-wrecker, but that he was smart enough not to get caught.

But the fire one takes into his chest inevitably burns his clothes. The secret began to consume him. He became irritable at home, distant. Lying to his wife, once unthinkable, became his second nature. Lying to Anderson, the man who trusted him like a brother, corroded him with an acidic guilt. The dishonor, the shame, even before being discovered, was already a stain on his soul that would not wash away.

The discovery, when it came, was not through a dramatic confrontation, but through Anderson’s cold intuition. He was a methodical and observant man. He began to notice the glances, the change in Guilherme’s schedule, the way Juliana avoided his touch. He did not explode. He investigated.

Anderson hired a private investigator. Within a week, he had everything: photos, call logs, the address of the apartment where they met. He had proof of the betrayal of his best friend and his wife.

Guilherme only knew the game was over when he arrived at work on Monday and found his office empty. His projects, his files, his personal belongings, all in cardboard boxes in the hallway. Anderson was waiting for him in the conference room. His eyes held no hatred, but a cutting ice that was far more terrifying.

“It’s over, Guilherme,” Anderson said, his voice low and controlled. He tossed a manila envelope onto the table. Inside were the photos.

Panic seized Guilherme. He began to plead. “Anderson, forgive me. It was a mistake, a moment of madness. I can fix this. I’ll pay. What do you want? Money? I’ll give you my share of the firm. I’ll do anything!”

He was acting like a thief caught in the act, trying to restore what he had stolen to escape punishment.

Anderson laughed. A dry, joyless laugh.

“You don’t get it, do you? If you had stolen my money, we could have a deal. But you stole my honor. My life. And for that,” he leaned across the table, his jealousy transforming his face, “there is no ransom. There is no price.”

The fury of the betrayed man was not a punch in the face. It was a meticulously executed revenge. Anderson used the same photos to file for a contentious divorce from Juliana, leaving her with nothing. He called an emergency meeting with their clients, not to expose the affair, but to announce Guilherme’s “sudden departure” from the firm due to “professional incompatibility,” insinuating incompetence. He sent anonymous copies of the photos to Guilherme’s wife.

In a matter of weeks, Guilherme’s life was systematically annihilated. He lost his job, his reputation, his wife, and his best friend. He became a pariah in the city. The wound he had inflicted generated a fury that did not spare in its punishment.

Years later, working as a freelance draftsman in another city, under another name, Guilherme would sometimes look at himself in the mirror. The stain of shame had never disappeared. He had understood, in the most brutal way, the truth of life. One can restore what is stolen. But there are certain things that, once broken, can never be paid for or fixed. The fire he had put in his chest had burned everything, and the ashes were all he had left.

(Made with AI)

This story is part of my book Everyday Wisdom

https://books2read.com/u/3knogL

The King I

The people of Israel cried out to the Lord,

They asked for a man to be the legislator.

People wanted someone to be a king.

God as a guide, they were not desiring.

A man in the command was what they were wanting.

 

About it, Samuel consulted to the Lord,

The cry of the people got attention from God.

To that whole people, God gave them advice:

“With a king, you will have a servant’s life.”

To the advice of God, nobody attended,

A king to the people, the Lord constituted.

 

From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul was the chosen,

By the prophet Samuel, He was anointed.

After some time, he began to reign,

In Israel’s fights, he did not delay gaining.

 

Before the people, Samuel delivered the king,

Saying: “The land of Israel, I will not stay judging.

Do you have something to complain about me?

Is it something I have to fix?”

The whole people replied there was nothing.

Israel was given in the hand of Saul, the king.

In all the battles that Saul has fought,

The enemies were given to them by God.

There was no way for the Philistines to win,

God was with the people when they were fighting.

The kingdom of Saul began to prosper,

He did not delay showing his haughtiness.

This poem is part of the book Christian Poetry Volume III.

See the book:

https://books2read.com/u/3nG5R5

The Care of God

There is no evil where the Lord God is.

From all kinds of evils, He freed me,

Your hand is powerful to save,

His children, He will always keep safe.

 

The Lord loves all his children,

He never forgets or forsakes them.

God supplies all his beloved ones.

They are safe under his protection.

 

The protection of God is powerful.

He leads the steps and paths of each one.

He does not allow the damage to his faithful one.

He leads him to be saved.

 

Salvation is not only for Earth’s time,

It is salvation for eternal life.

Where everyone will always be with the Lord.

Enjoying the most perfect love.

This poem is part of the book Christian Poetry Volume I.

See the book:

https://books2read.com/u/mg5w0z

The Anatomy of a Bad Day

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him… Proverbs 6:16

7:15 AM - Haughty Eyes

In the mirrored elevator of a corporate building, Dr. Jonata adjusted his silk tie. Beside him, the cleaning lady, Maria, offered a timid “good morning.” He did not respond. Not out of malice, but because, in his universe, she was part of the landscape, as invisible as the carpet or the light fixtures. His gaze passed over her, fixed on his own reflection. He saw a winner, a man who had made himself. His eyes, full of pride, could not see the humanity just a few feet away.

10:30 AM - A Lying Tongue

“Yes, of course the report is ready!” lied the lawyer, Rogério, on the phone, his voice the most confident in the world. “I’m just making the final adjustments. I’ll send it by the end of the day.” He hung up and looked at the blank computer screen. He had not even started. The lie was his most-used work tool, a way to postpone deadlines and mask his own disorganization. For him, words were not vehicles of truth, but flexible pieces in a game of perceptions.

1:45 PM - Hands That Shed Innocent Blood

The “blood” was not red. It was the ink of a pen on a termination report. The HR manager, Sandra, sighed. She knew that the justification for firing Carlos, a loyal employee with twenty years at the company, was fabricated. She knew the dismissal was to make room for a director’s nephew. But her hands signed the paper anyway. She shed the livelihood of an innocent family to protect her own job, washing her hands of the injustice she had just committed.

3:02 PM - A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes

As his fingers scrolled through the news feed, the digital influencer known as “The Crow” had an idea. He saw a small controversy about a local coffee shop, and his heart, trained to sniff out chaos, began to scheme. He could distort the story, create a sensationalist headline, inflame his followers, and generate a wave of cancellation. The project was not to build, but to destroy. The ruin of a small business was just fuel for his next viral video.

5:20 PM - Feet That Are Quick to Rush to Evil

Júnior, a young university student, received a message in a group chat: “We’re going to ‘borrow’ the answer key for tomorrow’s exam. The night shift inspector will help out. Meet at the back of the library in 15 minutes. Who’s in?” Júnior’s heart raced. He knew it was wrong, but the fear of failing was greater. He closed his books, put on his sneakers, and his swift feet carried him, running, to the meeting, toward evil.

7:40 PM - A False Witness Who Pours Out Lies & A Person Who Stirs Up Conflict in a Community

The condominium meeting was tense. The discussion was about a leak that had damaged Mrs. Alice’s apartment. The building manager asked Wilson, Alice’s neighbor, if he had noticed any seepage before. Wilson knew he had. He knew his own air conditioner had been dripping on her wall for months. But admitting fault would be expensive. “No, I’ve never seen anything,” he said, becoming a false witness. Then, he planted the seed of contention: “But I’ve always thought the plumbing in the apartment above, Mr. Oliveira’s, was a bit old…” He not only lied to save himself, but also turned one neighbor against another, lighting a fire that would burn for months.

Epilogue

At night, all these characters returned to their homes. Dr. Jonata sat in his luxurious apartment but felt an inexplicable emptiness. Rogério worked late, driven by the anxiety of his own lie. Sandra tried to watch a movie, but the image of Carlos’s face would not leave her head. “The Crow” counted his new followers. Júnior could not concentrate on his studies. And Wilson listened to the argument between his neighbors through the wall.

And in the same city, on that same night, the cleaning lady Maria, ignored in the elevator, arrived home, shared the bread she had with a neighbor in need, and prayed, giving thanks for another day. In her small apartment, there was a peace that none of the others, with their secret sins, could ever buy. The blessing and the curse had already been distributed, silently, throughout the course of an ordinary day.

(Made with AI)

This story is part of my book Everyday Wisdom

https://books2read.com/u/3knogL