Choose the better?!

Mara's first day in Hamburg

Finally, I've arrived in Hamburg. I've been looking forward to it so much and now I'm here. I've been planning to go to Hamburg for a long time. Now I'm here and can see the city and live here. It's so beautiful here. I like that there is water everywhere. It's so great.

Call me, said my friend Moni as I drove off. I want to know if you know where you can go and what you're doing. My mother said the same thing. At least write so that I hear from you. So write first? No, see Hamburg first? First make sure I get away from the main station. But where to?

I took the subway towards Jungfernstieg. Once there, I enjoyed the view of the water. Yes, I know, a little too carefree. I still need a place to sleep. Well, it's not quite that unplanned. A friend of mine said: my sofa is at your disposal for house hunting. Because I didn't have an apartment or a job yet. I just wanted to go to Hamburg. And here I am. Now it's time to find Sven's address and see how I can get there. I had already picked out a few apartments that I wanted to look at. It's difficult to find an apartment without a job and no job without an apartment.

So, Hamburg, here I am and here we go. It wasn't so easy to find my friend's apartment and when I finally got there and rang the doorbell, nobody answered. Where to now? At least I got to the stairwell. People looked at me strangely. One woman asked me what I was doing here, but you can't spend the night in the stairwell. I tried to explain to her that I was waiting for a friend and she went on her way. So I was able to stay there for a while. Then the woman came back and said: "You'll have to find somewhere other than our stairwell. Wait somewhere other than here." So I had to go back out onto the street. I didn't have to wait long, then Sven finally arrived. "Hello, Mara, are you here already? I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow," he said, surprised. "No, we had an appointment today. Is that a problem?" I asked. "No, come in. It's not tidy, of course, but let's go in." We walked up the stairs together and the woman looked back into the stairwell. I would have liked to stick my tongue out at her, but I didn't want to, I'm living here for a while now.When we got to the top, I asked: "Who's that?" "Our minder, Mrs. Telge," said Sven, "sometimes very useful, so no one can just walk in here. She probably sent you out too." I just nodded and sat down on the sofa. This is now my home for a short time. "Thank you for your help." "No problem," said Sven. The evening passed with clearing things away, rearranging things and setting up the bed for me. Then we looked for an apartment and a job for me. Sven helped me a little so that I didn't look for an apartment just anywhere, but in a good area where it wasn't too expensive.

The two of us had been friends since childhood and were there for each other. We helped each other as much as we could. I got to know Hamburg when Sven moved there and I just loved it, I always thought: this is where I want to move to, this is where I want to live. My mother just said: what do you want in Hamburg? In such a big city? I just said: it's so beautiful there and raved to her about how great Hamburg is. She just waved me off and hoped that I would stay close to her so that we could see each other more often. Well, I didn't have it bad, but Hamburg was my destination.

I need an apartment and a job

I had planned everything as far as possible. Sven only wanted to help as much as he could, but I only wanted to live with him temporarily until I finally found something else. I hoped that being here would make it easier and quicker to find an apartment or a job.

The next morning I started making phone calls. I called about a few apartments and always got the answer: No job? Then try somewhere else! I didn't get discouraged and looked through the job advertisements and called them. But that wasn't so easy either, either there wasn't enough money or I wasn't qualified enough. So the first day passed, the second day....

I said to Sven: "I need a break today and I'm going to see Hamburg." It was OK for him, because I hadn't been there that long and he noticed that I was making an effort. I decided to go to the Elbe beach and the Jungfernstieg. First a stroll through the stores, then a coffee and then to the Elbe beach. It was nice and I enjoyed the time away from work and home. When I got to the Elbe beach, I took off my shoes and walked along the beach with my feet in the water. It was a wonderful day.

The search continued the next day. Sven made suggestions, but somehow it didn't work out. He said, "Maybe you should look for the two jobs so you can do it." I threw a pillow at him and said: "You must be crazy!" But somehow he was right, because it was a mess and nothing was working out. We thought about whether a shared flat would be an option and I was finally able to look at a room. The first shared flat consisted of 3 women, I would be the fourth. But they were already bitching at each other when I got there, so I preferred not to. The second one, the kitchen looked like nobody wanted to do anything. In the third flat share, they had too many animals for me. I finally found something. The flatmates seemed nice and it looked clean too. There was a dog there too, but he was really cute. Unfortunately, they had taken someone else.

Well, it was no problem for people like Sven to find a job or an apartment. No matter where he went, he had several job offers, even abroad. But he wanted to stay in Germany, so Hamburg suited him just fine. He had been working in a port office as an IT specialist for a year. But I, who had no training, kept taking on smaller jobs that my father had organized for me so that I could contribute to the household. But they were only ever jobs for 1 or ½ years and so my CV didn't look so good.

Sven said I could carry on looking in peace, he didn't mind. But I could tell that it did bother him, because his friends started making stupid comments and the woman "the minder" kept looking at me skeptically because I was still there. So first I had to take a job that didn't pay so well and then look for something better.

I started working in a grocery store as a temp for a few hours. But that was only enough to help with the groceries. Well, it was better than nothing and I still had time to look for a room. But time passed and a few days turned into weeks and now 3 months had already passed.

When I came home from work that day, I passed a bench and sat down....

Gerlinde's squeezing shoes

My name is Gerlinde, I am married and have 2 grown-up children and a huge house. It's so big that my children could live in it with their families or we could have guests over more often. But my husband says: "No, I have enough people around me at work, I want my peace and quiet at home." Sometimes that makes me feel lonely. That's why I always try to make appointments with my friends so that I can at least spend some time with others. We go to the hairdresser, the nail salon, swimming, shopping or to restaurants or cafés. Well, having a husband who earns a lot of money has its advantages, but being at home alone is not for me. I asked him if I could go back to work, but he just said: "No way, what do you want to do? Cut your girlfriends' hair because you're working at the hairdressers again? I hope not." And that's how it stayed, because it does look strange when I cut my girlfriends' hair. They would make fun of me and want nothing more to do with me. No, somehow that doesn't work and I haven't learned anything else. I didn't need to, because my husband earned enough and then the children Jessie and Maik came along and I stopped working. Now it's been 28 years and I've become so used to my lifestyle.

Today is not a good day. I broke my nail and then my heel also broke off because I got stuck in a grate. The first thing I did was go to a shoe store to buy new shoes. It took a while, but they didn't have what I needed, so I had to get some so that I had something on my feet. After a short time, these shoes started to pinch and I got blisters on my feet. That too, I thought. I looked around for a nail salon and found one. When I came out, my nails looked good again, but my feet did. My feet hurt because I had to put my shoes back on after the nail salon.

There was a coffee shop just around the corner and I sat down there. I walked a little further to my car, took my shoes off again and hoped it would get better. I asked the waiter for a plaster. It took a while before he came back with 2 plasters. I put my shoes back on and walked on, no, it just hurt, despite the plasters. I hobbled along the street, although I tried to walk as gracefully as possible. Finally I saw a park bench on my way. There was a woman sitting on it, but I didn't care. Every step hurt and I finally wanted to take my shoes off. Done, I arrived and could take my shoes off again for a short while. The pain slowly subsided, I leaned back and took a deep breath....

Roslind at the children's blessing

Lunch is ready, come on, we want to be on time for the children's blessing today. Our 3 children Anna, Max and Maurice slowly come out of their rooms, including my husband. Sometimes my husband laughs: as much nonsense as the two boys get up to, we could have called them Max and Moritz. But it's not that bad. They have lots of energy and ideas and they put them into practice. Sometimes my husband joins in and afterwards we all try to laugh, but not everyone can do that.

Today we're going to the baby blessing, we're all looking forward to it because my friend Natascha is having her baby blessed. It's a very special day for us, because placing a child under God's blessing and entrusting it to his care is a great thing. It usually reminds me of the blessings of my children, it always did our family good, because knowing that God is looking after my children makes me calmer in many things and I trust them more as a result. It is important to trust God. It's also good to see how the children trust God, it's usually easier for them than for us adults.

As we sat in the car and were about to drive to the church, my husband asked: "So, Anna, are you excited about presenting the gift?" "Yes, Dad," she says, "but I don't have to say anything and that's great, because I don't like that in front of so many people." "Nice of you to present it," said my husband. Then I realized that I had forgotten the present. Well, no one is perfect.

So everyone had to wait for me in the car. The boys started squabbling with Anna in the back seat and so the journey there was a bit exhausting. Finally arrived. I quickly went into the church and looked for a seat. There were still a few seats at the front. The boys sat with their friends, Anna sat at the front with us. She slid back and forth on her chair. My husband tried to calm her down, but she said, "Dad, leave it, God will do it." We looked at each other in amazement that she gave such an answer and were happy about it. Well, children can also be role models for us, especially when it comes to trusting God.

Finally the service started. After we had sung a few songs, we were blessed. Now Anna was allowed to stand and had the gift in her hand. She was delighted and handed it over.

She was delighted and handed it over. As we were having coffee in the church afterwards, I saw Maurice whisper to Anna: "You did a great job." She was delighted with the praise. I was surprised because Maurice usually always had a cool line on his lips. Yes, he was right, she did a great job and so did he.

The service was now over. We talked to the others and I clarified with Natascha when we should be at their place for coffee. The weather looked so nice and I wanted to enjoy the sunshine outside. The others were still busy, so I went out to the bench in front of our church. I wanted to enjoy the sun there for a while. But when I went out, there were 2 women sitting there. At first I didn't want to, but then I went and sat with them.

The reunion

After Roslind had taken a seat on the bench, she let the sun shine on her face. The older of the two women spoke to her: "Roslind, is that you?"

"Yes," she replied, "and who are you? Oh, no, Gerlinde? "

"Yes, we haven't seen each other for a long time," said Gerlinde.

Roslind: "That's true, but it's nice to see you. How are you?"

Gerlinde: "It must have been 28 years ago, because I stopped working when my first child was on the way."

Roslind: "I changed jobs after I finished my apprenticeship, even though they wanted to keep me. Did you go back to work?"

Gerlinde: "No, unfortunately not and my husband earns enough money that I don't need it. Sometimes I miss it."

Roslind: "Just come and have a look, we always need someone from time to time, even if it's only for an hour or two. Maybe it would be a good fit. I'd be delighted."

Gerlinde: "I don't know, let's see, I'd be tempted, especially if I could just work in between without anyone noticing."

Roslind: "Wait, I'll get a business card so you have the address. I have it in my handbag."

Mara, who was sitting next to her and had overheard the conversation, wondered the whole time whether she should ask about a job or training. She didn't dare, but then plucked up her courage and asked: "Can I have a business card too? And can I do an apprenticeship with them?"

The two women looked at Mara in astonishment and Roslind replied, stammering a little: "Yes, I can give you one too." Then Roslind went and got the business cards and gave them to the two women.

Roslind said goodbye, as her family was going home, saying: "I'd be delighted if you'd come by, Gerlinde. See you then."

Gerlinde: "Yes, bye." She was a little taken aback and looked at the business card. She had never heard of this hairdresser's, although she had visited many with her friends. She just thought: No, I'm not going there, who knows what kind of store it is. She pocketed the card and left.

Mara was happy about the address and the opportunity she was hoping for and said: "Maybe we'll meet again at the hairdresser's." Then she left too. Gerlinde just thought: definitely not.

When Roslind arrived at the parish, her family was already waiting for her and they went straight to Reinberg's for coffee. Natascha opened the door and said: "Be quiet, Isabell has just fallen asleep." We tried to be as quiet as possible, but with 5 children it wasn't that easy. Isabell was still able to sleep and woke up again for dinner and was a bit reserved at first, but that got better with time. Everyone wanted to cuddle her, even Anna, who normally doesn't think much of small children. They are so stressful, she says. After dinner, we drove home.

Mornings in the hairdressing salon

When I drove to work the next morning, everything was the same as every morning. We all met in the lounge, including the cleaning lady and the trainees. We started together, as we had been doing for several years now, first talking a little, then praying together. Everyone talked about what had happened on the last day, and problems at work were also discussed. I told them that I had met a former colleague and had invited her to join us. One colleague asked: where does she work? I replied that she hadn't worked since the first child and that was a long time ago, but I think it would do her good and we still need someone to work 1-2 hours from time to time.

We then had to start working because the first customers arrived. When the first hour was over, I went to the back to get a drink. I just heard my boss come to the back and bring someone with her. She said: "Well, show me your application." And I remembered that I had completely forgotten about the other woman who might have wanted to apply. So we met up again in our common room.

Mara said: "Thanks again for the address. My name is Mara, by the way."

Roslind: "Hello and I'm Roslind."

Then I went back to the front because the next customer was there for me. Later, I found out that Mara was starting her apprenticeship with us in two weeks' time on May 1st. I wasn't surprised, because we often had apprentices and it was always interesting to see how they felt about our morning meeting. Some of them realized how good it was to start the day like that.

When Mara started the first day, she was surprised that we all sat down together, talked, prayed and sorted things out. The time had become more and more precious to us, because we realized that prayer and time with God had changed us. Mara was silent and you could tell she was watching us. We knew that from everyone who had started with us. For her, it was also the part where she was assigned to someone to get to know our store. You could see her relief when we finally got going and started working. The premises, the processes and much more were explained to her and so her first day was full of information and people she had to get to know.

When she went home, she asked me beforehand: "Why are you doing this?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Mara: "Sitting together like this in the morning?"

Roslind: "I don't have time today, but I'll tell you how we came to do it," I replied, "If you have time tomorrow after work, I'll tell you."

Origin of the morning meeting

I don't even remember when we started it. I told Mara. But there was a good reason why we had started talking and praying together. It had often been hectic and stressful, and it still is today, but back then we sometimes grumbled at each other, even in front of the customers, and they realized more and more that the atmosphere wasn't good and that we were unhappy and gradually stayed away. Of course, no one wanted to go to a hairdressing salon where you could feel the stress and hectic pace, people have enough of that and then with us too. So they stayed away. We didn't know what to do. We tried to clarify certain things with each other so that things would get better, so that we would treat each other better, but it was no use. We would have almost closed the store, but then our boss came and said: let's sit down today and talk to each other. Everyone thought: oh, no, we've been doing that for a while and it hasn't helped.

So we sat together, each with a cup of tea or coffee in our hands and kept quiet. No one felt like saying anything, because it was no use. A week went by. Every morning we met half an hour before work and kept quiet. Everyone would have preferred to come later, but work is work.

One Friday evening, when everyone was gone, I asked my boss if we wanted to meet a little earlier on Monday to pray. She looked at me puzzled and asked: "What do we want? Pray? Why is that?"

I said: "We can try it and see if anything changes.

My boss said: "Hm, I don't know, I haven't done anything like that yet. My grandma told me stories from the Bible about God, but praying? But at the moment, any means is fine with me and we can give it a try."

I told her that there are companies where some of the employees pray for the company, the country and the employees. Maybe it will help us too.

I told my friend Natascha on Sunday and we prayed together for God to change something.

So we met ½ hour before the others arrived. I was excited and asked God to make something good out of it. His idea that he gave me and then also his chance to change something.

We sat down in the lounge and apart from good morning, we didn't say anything at first. I was so excited that I kept quiet. But then I started to pray and said: "God, you see the situation we have here in our store. You know how we treat each other. Help us to pay more attention to each other and to help each other. Help us to learn to deal with each other in your love..."

After the first two days, my boss Helga said that nothing had changed and that we should leave it alone. I asked her that we should meet for another week and then see.

I hoped that something had changed, but we had the feeling that it was still the same as before, but on Friday a customer told Helga that it had become more pleasant and the atmosphere was calmer and that it was noticeable that we were treating each other better. She came to me straight away and asked me if I had noticed anything. I said no and then she told me what the customer had said and that we were meeting on Monday at the same time. I was happy and thankful to God. Of course, not everything was good, we realized that a lot still had to change, but it was a start and God had brought it about.

That Monday, Helga also started praying and thanked God with simple words: "Thank you, God, for helping us."

So we met every morning.

After a while, one or two of our colleagues joined us because they had become curious about what we were doing there and because it somehow brought about a calmness in us, it became important for them to be there too. We saw how our colleagues became more and more supportive and helped each other here and there. And we noticed for ourselves that the atmosphere was getting a little better from week to week. We were grateful to God for every improvement and we noticed how it changed Helga's and my life more and more. My husband also said to me that I was coming home from work happier and not just stressed, even the children noticed it.

Then Helga came to me and said: "My grandma was right, God changes, God helps. I always smiled about it and thought it was nonsense. But now I've realized that this God really exists and that he gives change when we ask him for it."

Yes, I thought, if we allow it, God will change us for the better.

What can I do to accept this God, as you always say? Helga said.

I told her that God wants to have fellowship with us and that's why Jesus Christ came into the world. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day. God forgives us for the sins we have committed through what Christ did.

We then prayed together: "God, I ask you to forgive my sins. Forgive me. I give you, God, my life. Fill my heart with your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I am allowed to be your child, that you forgive me and that you love me so much. Amen."

The other colleagues were surprised that we were always the first and that something was slowly changing in the business.

Then Helga made the suggestion: "let's take the others with us and pray with them. We'll see how they react and if it's working time, I'm sure no one will object."

I just said: OK.

When we suggested it to our colleagues, they looked at us puzzled. But they didn't say anything about it, not even: I won't go along with that nonsense. None of them dared, because the boss said so. One colleague even said: it can't do any harm, we can try it.

Nevertheless, we met a little earlier to pray in peace and then continue praying with our colleagues.

The first morning was difficult. We just kept quiet when someone said something. Some grumbled that it was too early for her and that she could rest better at home, but the change made some join in and that was nice. But everyone realized that something was slowly changing and so one or the other said thank you to God.

And now we are a good team again, with good and bad days, but with being there for and with each other. And it's fun and enjoyable to work together again.

Mara's first weeks in the hairdressing salon

The first day was easy, as Mara only had to look at everything. Of course, she knew a lot from her own visit to the hairdresser, but washing, cutting and tinting her hair herself was something else. The time went by quite quickly and they finished work.

The second day was more difficult. Mara had to sweep away the hair, make coffee or tea, whatever the customer wanted to drink, and she was allowed to wash a customer's hair with help. She felt a bit strange because someone was watching her wash her hair, even though she had already watched it several times. The day didn't go by so quickly, as most of what she did was just sweeping away hair and bringing drinks to customers. Well, she thought to herself, it's just the first week and I won't be able to do that much.

The third day was almost the same as the second day, this time there were 2 customers for whom she was allowed to wash their hair. So this day was a bit boring.

The fourth and fifth days were like the second and therefore also boring, but as there were a lot of customers, the day passed very quickly.

The next week started as usual in the morning with silence before God. Mara didn't find it too bad the first week as she was able to relax a little. The second week was a little different. It got on her nerves, she said, and how can you do something like that every morning. But she was glad to have got an apprenticeship and so she put up with it.

But you could tell that she found it difficult not to fall asleep every morning and so she asked Helga why she was always so tired in the morning. She just waved it off and said it was too early and so boring. Helga was content with that and we thought nothing of it.

She made good progress and was allowed to try out one or two things, but we noticed that she was getting more and more tired every week. She fell asleep every morning when we met. This time Helga asked more insistently why she always fell asleep. After all, we also discuss things that concern her. This time she didn't come out with the excuse that she was too bored and too early and told us that she was working in a restaurant on the side so that she could pay for her room.

Of course, none of us were surprised by this, as we had already experienced it with other trainees. As this time was also important to us because of the arrangements, Helga tried to clarify with her how she could manage the two jobs without being too tired with us. Because you have to concentrate at work.

Mara tried to reduce the other job a little, as she was now also getting some money from her training. As a result, she paid a little more attention in the mornings. She wasn't interested in praying. She always looked around bored. When it came to her work, she was there and discussed everything with us. She learned quite quickly now that she was no longer so tired and it became natural for her to sweep away the hair and wash the hair of one customer or another. She made an effort to get on with us, but we realized that this morning meeting didn't suit her.

And then she always arrived a few minutes late in the morning. At first we didn't notice or we didn't think it was so bad, it was only 2 - 3 minutes, but then it slowly became 5 minutes and then slowly 7 minutes and then she only came when she thought the time for praying was over.

Helga said to her: your working hours start at 08:30 and not at 09:00. Come on time, otherwise we'll have a problem with your apprenticeship with us. All right, Mara replied and arrived on time the next day (well, as far as you can call 5 minutes late punctual). She always sat there very disinterestedly, but she was there and especially the meetings about what was on today were very interesting for her, as she always found out what new things she was allowed to learn or do. She was often able to look at certain things several times with different colleagues, which she always found interesting. She showed a lot of interest and quickly learned a few things.

Over time, we had the feeling that Mara had settled in with us and was also able to cope with the prayer time.

The trainees at school

Mara had theoretical lessons after she had been with us for a few weeks. The students met for the first time and everyone had to see who was there and who they could get on with. She met two girls who were really nice and she spent time with them at school. She couldn't manage it outside of school because she had a part-time job and she still had to study for her apprenticeship. The three of them got on quite well, the other two were still living with their parents and therefore didn't need money for an apartment or food. That's why they had time to get together. When they studied together, Mara was also there from time to time, as it suited her.

At first, Mara didn't say anything about the fact that we met to pray at the start of work, she was uncomfortable with it because she couldn't relate to it and dismissed it as nonsense. But after a while she blurted out: "This stupid early meeting because they always want to pray. It's annoying, everyone is silent most of the time, you could just fall asleep and I don't know that it makes it any better."

The other two looked at her in astonishment and asked: "What are you doing? I wouldn't feel like it and would just come later," said Julie.

Mara replied: "I tried that too, but then I got into trouble because it's just working time."

Julie said: "Is that legal? You can also look for another hairdressing salon where you can continue your training."

Mara: "Oh, that's a good idea, maybe the teachers can help me."

The next day, she went to her teacher and asked if he could help her find another apprenticeship. He simply asked: "Which store are you in?" "At Helga Kleine," Mara replied. He just grinned and said: "Yes, I can help you with that. But are you sure you want to change? Most of my students did very well there."

Mara just said: "Yes, I'm sure they're nice there, but they're weird and I don't like that at all."

"Okay, then I'll try to find you somewhere else," said the teacher.

It took two or three days and then the teacher spoke to Mara again: "I have a hairdressing salon very close to you, they don't have anyone at the moment and would be happy if you started with them. Here's the address." Mara was delighted and introduced herself there the very next day. The store was very different to the one she had just been in. But, she thought to herself, I'll see what they're like and work there. At least they make a friendly impression.

So Mara sorted everything out with the school and with Helga's and the new hair salon. School was over and Mara went to the new store for the first day.

The business card

Gerlinde kept playing with the business card on the way home. It's funny, she thought, my feet don't hurt that much at the moment and I keep thinking about what Roslind told me. It sounds great to go back to work now and again, to do something I used to enjoy. But who knows what kind of store it is. Sometimes the employees were so unfriendly to each other. Some were nice too, but who knows how they would talk behind my back when I came to work when it suited me. Oh no, why am I even thinking about it, my husband wouldn't approve anyway.

Gerlinde came home. She threw the two pairs of shoes in the corner and took a bath so that her feet could recover. It made her think of the past, because when she came home from work she looked forward to the bath, which was always so good for her feet. Again, her thoughts turned to Roslind's offer. It sounded so good.

When Gerlinde came out of the bath again, her husband was still not back from work. She sat down at the dinner table and just thought: "Eating dinner alone again, again there's no one to keep me company. The children are out of the house and my husband is always at work.

She put the business card on the table in her room, put it in the jacket she was wearing and hung it on the coat rack. After that, she thought about it from time to time, but didn't take the business card out, even forgot about it.

When her husband came home in the evening, Gerlinde was already asleep and he let her sleep as usual. They had separate bedrooms so that he wouldn't wake Gerlinde.

The next morning they met for breakfast as usual, but Gerlinde didn't mention Roslind's offer because she knew he would say no to it. They talked about their children and his job and then her husband went to work. Their daily routine was almost always like this except for Sundays. That's when her husband tried to spend time with Gerlinde. That's why she hadn't been to church or church services for a long time, because on Sundays they both always tried to do something nice together, even if it was just a day at home by the pool.

A lot of things in their lives were routine and there was rarely anything new, only vacations were more interesting because they often flew to foreign countries to see them. They had already got to know a lot of things that way.

The business card was forgotten.

In the Klein hairdressing salon

Helga told Roslind that Mara had stopped coming. She said: "We must have scared her off by praying and laughing."

"Yes, you're right, she almost always fell asleep in the morning, she still had to work in the evenings. I would have thought she would have been a good fit for us, but oh well. Let's see how she gets on, I'd be interested to know," Roslind replied.

Helga said: "Yes, she's nice and talented, but we still have time together in the mornings and that's not for everyone, apparently not for Mara either. That's a shame. But this time is good for us and has also become important for me and the others to start with God in the morning. She's in Mrs. Schmidt's salon, you can visit her there and ask how she's doing. They're really nice there too, but in every salon there's something that doesn't suit one person or another."

We then had to get back to work. We were used to not having any trainees at times and even when they were still in training, we always took over the sweeping etc. ourselves.

Things continued as normal for us. Some customers asked where Mara was and we told them where she was. Too bad, said one or two customers, she was nice.

The other colleagues also asked about her and said: "It's good there too. She'll manage there.

Our everyday life continued.

Sometimes Roslind asked Helga if Gerlinde had contacted her, but she always said no.

In the Schmidt salon

Mara's first day was quite good, she already knew a lot, so she didn't mind sweeping the floor and bringing tea or coffee to the customers. Everyone was nice to her and was happy that she did these tasks as a matter of course.

The next day she asked if she could watch one or two of them, but the boss said no, you have to get here first and then we'll see. All right, Mara thought to herself and did her tasks and tried to keep up.

Sometimes the thought came up that it was better with Helga, but she immediately brushed it aside and continued to sweep her hair away. Mrs. Schmidt then came up to her and said: "Today you can wash Mrs. Helmich's hair, I'll watch and you tell me what you have to watch out for." Mara was happy and collected the things she needed and told Mrs. Schmidt what to look out for. Sometimes she corrected Mrs. Schmidt. After she had done the hair washing quite well, she was allowed to wash the hair of some customers. At the beginning, Mrs. Schmidt always looked over, but after a while she stopped.

Mara no longer thought about the other store so often. She realized that she could manage here too and slowly felt at home here.

Over time, she was introduced to other tasks and her training progressed well.

Boredom at home

Today, for once, Gerlinde and her husband ate breakfast together, then he said goodbye and went to work. What am I going to do now, Gerlinde asked herself, as she did every morning. She didn't need to clean because Steffie, her cleaning fairy, as she always called her, always came. She didn't need to cook either, because her husband wasn't usually there for dinner and she only cooked for herself when she felt like it.

So the big question again: What am I going to do today? She didn't meet up with her friends until lunchtime and then they didn't have long to visit the grandchildren today. They were both going away for a week, only she was at home. Her children and grandchildren didn't have time now, so she was alone for a week. She knew it because her two friends often did this, sometimes she could go away, but rarely and then it was 7 long days.

Her other girlfriends were sometimes too stuffy for her and so she met them less often. At the moment, she didn't want to go on: Look at my new nails, aren't they great and my husband's new car or have you seen our new gardener, he can do this or that.

No, she wasn't in the mood for that either. She thought about what she could do. Well, maybe go out for dinner at an Italian restaurant, it's very cozy even if you go there alone. No sooner said than done. She sat down at her table, where there were always three of them. The waiter was his usual polite self and chatted to her for a while. Just one ice cream and then the other two would be along soon.

At last the other two were there too and they chatted animatedly as usual, but then one of them said: "I have to go now, otherwise I won't make it to my plane on time. See you in a week, Gerlinde." And then the other friend also said goodbye. She could understand them both. One daughter was in England and the other in France. As they didn't see their children that often, they always looked forward to it. There was always a lot to talk about afterwards, but the week was always long for Gerlinde.

Now she was sitting alone in the restaurant again and then went home. And now what? What am I going to do all week? These questions kept running through her mind. She decided to go to the gym tomorrow.

Usually the three of them always went together, so it was boring at the gym today and she was out quicker than usual. Another boring day. In the evening, she watched a movie and fell asleep.

The next day, she put on the jacket in which she had put the business card. At first she played with it and was about to throw it away, but when she read what it said, she put it back in her pocket.

The question arose again: Should I give them a call? Work from time to time, for an hour or two? It would be nice. No, I'm out for so long, I'll cut someone's hair afterwards. I'd have to learn how to do it again first.

Strangely enough, she sat down at her laptop in the evening and watched videos of haircuts, coloring and other things, it was interesting and so she clicked from one to the next.

But the next day she thought: NO, that's not possible.

In the evening she picked up her laptop again, actually she just wanted to read through the emails, but then she was back on the page with the haircut videos. The more she watched the videos, the more she thought about calling the hairdressing salon.

Mara's first haircut

This morning Mara is very excited, today she has to cut the hair of someone who has volunteered at school. Today it's her turn and 3 others. She already knew what the haircut should look like and they went through everything several times about how she should cut her hair. The thought kept running through her mind, what if I cut myself? What if it doesn't look good? The wig she had practiced on worked quite well over time, but this time someone had to walk around with the haircut. The teacher said: I'll cut it again, but try it.

Finally arrived at school. The four people whose hair was to be cut were already sitting in the room. Each of them was assigned the person whose hair they were to cut.

Mara was 2nd in line. The others had theoretical lessons and were not allowed to watch. Only the teacher was there. He stood slightly to the side so that he could see well and watched as Mara cut her hair. Sometimes he nodded friendly approval, sometimes he helped her so that she knew how to do it. If they did it well, they might even be allowed to cut in the salon. Everything went well for Mara. The teacher was happy.

The teacher then called each student in the salon and told them that they had done well and that they could cut a customer's hair with supervision and a little help. Of course, this is at the discretion of the salon and not when they are allowed to do it.

Mara hoped that she would be able to start in the salon soon. But there was still school at the moment, so it would take a little longer.

When Mara was back in the hairdressing salon, Mrs. Schmidt said: "When there's time, we can see if we have anyone. And so she was delighted.

But the first week was full of stress and she didn't have the chance to cut anyone's hair. She was beginning to feel sad about it and approached Mrs. Schmidt again, but she just said: "You can see what's going on here.

That was the end of the matter for the time being.

The meeting at the bench

Roslind went on a shopping spree and as she wanted to take a break, she sat down on the bench in front of the church as usual. She liked sitting here because the sun always shone so beautifully and there were also small flower beds. She enjoyed the break.

Gerlinde was also in town as usual and strolled slowly to the car, where she always parked it. Her friends were back now and it wasn't sooo boring. She walked slowly towards the bench where her path led to the car.

"Oh, hello Roslind," she said, "nice to meet you here." She sat down on the bench with her. "I've thought about your offer many times, but I don't think I'll do it."

Roslind: "Why don't you just come and see us without any pressure, you can have your hair cut by me."

Gerlinde then said: "That's a good idea, when can I come?"

Roslind: "Call me tomorrow morning, I'll be there, you can also ask for me and I'll check the calendar to see when it's convenient."

They talked for a while, but then Roslind had to leave.

Gerlinde sat there for a while and let her thoughts run through her head: How Roslind probably cuts hair, but as far as I could remember she did right well.....

Suddenly Mara sat down next to her and groaned as she sat down. Gerlinde asked: "Haven't we met here before? How's the training at the hairdressing salon going, little girl?"

"Oh," said Mara, "I've left, they always pray in the morning and that was too weird for me. I'm now with Mrs. Schmidt and I'm allowed to cut hair there, but they always don't have time for it, too much to do, too much to do, they keep putting me off until tomorrow, but I have to keep learning."

Gerlinde said: "Have a little patience, it will come. Everyone has to learn it in training, you will too. What do you mean, you always say the prayers in the morning at Roslind's store? That's interesting. Do you know why?"

Mara: "Yes, they had problems, they almost had to close the store and then they started praying and it should have gotten better. I don't know, I think they made more effort among themselves and that's why it worked better. They're all nice, I can't imagine that they had so many problems with each other that the customers stayed away."

Gerlinde: "Hm, I'll have to ask Roslind about that next time. Good luck with your training. Take care."

Gerlinde then went to her car and drove home. The thought of them praying in the store somehow made her curious. It would have changed their relationship. She really wanted to know what had happened there. She decided to call the store where Roslind worked the next day.

Mara sat there for a while and as she remembered the other hairdressing salon, she wondered if they would have taken the time to let her cut a customer's hair. But then she got up and went home, pushing the thought aside, because she was no longer in that store.

Mara's thoughts about the other hair salon

When Mara woke up in the morning, the thought came back into her head, what would it be like if I had stayed at the other store? She simply pushed it aside and thought, it doesn't matter, I'm with Mrs. Schmidt now.

After she had showered and drunk her coffee, the thought came back. No, it doesn't matter. I'm with Mrs. Schmidt now, she said to herself and tried to think of something else.

As she got on her bike to go to work, the thought came up again. This time she told herself more forcefully: No, I'm working for Mrs. Schmidt. That's fine. I don't want to think about it.

She went on like this all morning. Then the thought was finally gone because of all the work.

When she got home in the evening, one of her flatmates asked her: "What's wrong with you, you look so pensive."

Mara simply replied: "Nothing, everything's fine. That was the end of the conversation."

The next morning, the question came up again: What if I had stayed in the other store?

She said out loud: "Not that thought again."

Over the course of the day, this question faded again. And then she stopped showing up in the morning.

And then she was allowed to cut someone's hair at Mrs. Schmidt's and she said to her: "You did a good job, we'll make sure that you can cut the hair of one or two customers." That's what happened and Mara thought: now I don't have to think about what if.....

Gerlinde's conversation with Roslind

Gerlinde called the salon quite early because she really wanted to know what had happened there. She couldn't imagine Roslind not getting on with her colleagues.

"Hello, Roslind, is that you?" asked Gerlinde when she called.

"Yes, oh nice of you to call Gerlinde. I have time for an appointment today, a customer has canceled and if you can, come by."

Gerlinde: "What time?"

Roslind: "At 11:30, does that suit you?"

Gerlinde: "Yes, I have time. I'll come over then."

Gerlinde had become curious and thought about the best way to approach Roslind. She still had a little time and thought about what she could do differently to her hair. A different color? No. A little shorter and maybe ... oh, I don't know. She turned on her laptop and looked at new hairstyles, something she always did before going to the hairdresser. She was beginning to have an idea of how she wanted her hair to look. She looked at her watch: "Oh, I have to go." And made her way to the hairdresser.

The two women greeted each other as if they had been friends for a long time. They first talked about hairstyles, then a little about family and then Gerlinde cautiously asked: "Mara told me that you pray in the morning? How come?" She didn't want to tell them straight away that Mara had told her something more about it and she waited eagerly for the answer.

Roslind said: "Oh, we had problems with each other, you remember that from when you worked, everyone knows everything better, no one lets anyone tell them anything. There was gossip about everyone and if you didn't join in, you were the outsider that no one wanted to have anything to do with. The customers noticed how we treated each other, because the bad mood was always noticeable. We tried as hard as we could to make sure the customers didn't notice, but fiddlesticks. The customers slowly stayed away. You know how it is at the hairdresser's, there's time to chat and switch off, but you don't want to feel the bad mood among your colleagues. So the customers slowly stayed away. Some preferred to drive a few meters away rather than come to us to get their hair done. You have enough problems at home and at work. So the customers stayed away and Ms. Klein couldn't keep all her employees. But some colleagues left of their own accord, given the climate.We had to think about what we needed to do differently and every meeting hadn't helped much so far. Before the store was due to close, I suggested to Mrs. Klein that we could pray together in the morning. She said that we could try it, because everything else hadn't worked. So we both met in the morning and prayed. Well, at first it was more like just keeping quiet and I said 2 or 3 short prayers. We didn't notice that anything was changing. After a while, a customer who had remained loyal to us despite everything said that it had become more pleasant and the atmosphere calmer and that it was noticeable that we were treating each other better. This encouraged Mrs. Klein and me to continue and the others slowly joined us. Well, we were down to 6 colleagues from 14, but with God's help we had finally managed to get out of this dilemma. We kept it up because we realized it was good for us. So we always meet 1 hour earlier in the morning for consultation and prayer. It's working time and that's why everyone comes. And over time they also realized that it was good for them and then they don't just come because it's working time. It has changed our store a lot and, of course, us too. Customers are now happy to come to us again, but most of them are new customers who have got to know us for the first time. So now I've told you enough about it.

Roslind was also almost finished cutting and styling her hair.

Gerlinde was very pleased and said: "It was worth coming here. It looks good."

She looked around and noticed that her colleagues were also working very quietly and well. Somehow she was tempted to come back to work and she liked the store. She also knew that her friends didn't come here and that was the biggest advantage. But how was she supposed to tell her husband? Keep it quiet? No, she didn't want to do that.

They said goodbye and Gerlinde said that she would come back and get in touch. With that, she left the store.

Gerlinde thought about it more often, because she had really enjoyed the store.

Roslind meets Mara

Roslind didn't go home straight away that evening. She went for a walk through the town and looked at the shop windows. She kept thinking about Gerlinde, asking whether she was really coming back or whether she didn't have time again. This time she couldn't give the children as her reason. Well, maybe she will pop in again, at least to get her hair cut. But there are her friends who also go to the hairdresser with her.

Lost in her thoughts, she arrived at the bench in front of the church. She sat down and didn't realize that there was another woman sitting there.

Mara looked at Roslind and said: "Hello, nice to meet you."

Roslind looked up: "Oh, it's you Mara. How are you? Is everything all right in Mrs. Schmidt's store?"

Mara started to talk and said that she had to wait a while until she could finally do something with the customers, but now she has even cut one customer's hair and it turned out well. Ms. Schmidt didn't have to cut it again.

So the two women sat there and talked for a while.

Mara said: "Sometimes I miss the time you spent together in the morning, it was always a time when you could prepare for work and think about things again. Which customers are coming, what new things can I learn today or how are my colleagues doing? I would never have thought that I would miss this time. But it's important to discuss things in the morning. Yes, everyone knows what to do. Some things are also discussed in the morning. But somehow it was different with you. I found it more appreciative and valuable for everyone."

Roslind said: "Oh, I thought that's what bothered you most about us. Yes, when something is no longer there, you realize what was good about it. But the most important thing for us at this time is still that we give God the glory and invite him into the working day and that makes it better to work together. Nevertheless, we have different opinions and we need that, because it allows us to discuss things and change our work. The customers also need different employees to cut their hair and talk to them."

Mara: "Yes, I thought it was good that you talked about your problems and prayed about them. Sometimes I was just too tired and that's why it got on my nerves. When you still want to sleep, you can't really get over other people's problems. But how is it going with....."

And they started talking about certain customers and also about some of the problems in the store with Ms. Kleine and Ms. Schmidt. They were able to exchange ideas and so they didn't notice how time passed. They both realized: Oh, it's so late already. And they went home.

When Roslind arrived home, her husband asked her: "How come you're only home now?"

Roslind: "I had met Mara again and we talked for a while. We also talked about the time before work and she realized that it was a good thing after all."

Her husband: "I'm glad she noticed the difference after all."

Mara's thoughts about the conversation

Mara arrived home, made herself another sandwich and lay down on her bed. Her thoughts revolved around the conversation with Roslind. She hadn't even realized that she missed the time she spent in the store before going to work for Mrs. Klein. It was somehow different with the talking and taking care of each other. She realized how valuable it was for the employees and thought it would be nice to go back. The staff there asked her what she would like to do, where she would like to watch or what she would like to do herself. It was different with Ms. Schmidt in the store, they looked more at when there was time and then she was brought in. Yes, she had also learned a lot from Ms. Schmidt, but somehow it was different from Ms. Klein. Somehow her colleagues treated each other differently.

She asked herself: Could it really only be because of this time in the morning? At least that's what they said.

She still had some thoughts running through her head and also that Roslind had said that God had changed a lot of things for them. The togetherness, the consideration, the respectful interaction...

She fell asleep over these thoughts. She got up in the morning. These questions left her no peace. She wanted to talk to Roslind about it again, but she wondered how. Then she remembered that Roslind came from the church where they had met in the pew. She thought about going there after the service on Sunday in the hope of being able to talk to Roslind again.

Gerlinde and her friends

Today Gerlinde went out to dinner with her friends. When they met, everyone noticed that she had a new haircut. Something different than usual. They wanted to know where she had been and whether she could tell them the address.

Gerlinde didn't want to tell them, otherwise she would ruin her chance of working there, even if it was only for a few hours. Somehow it was tempting, because she had often thought about going back to work and she saw in the store that it would be possible.

"Oh," she said, "I was just in the neighborhood and went there. I don't know where the store is, I've forgotten again." She was a little uncomfortable not having told her friends the truth, because she wasn't normally like that. That was the end of the matter for her friends, but not for Gerlinde. The thought that she had lied to her friends kept running through her mind. She would have liked to tell them where the store was and that an old friend of hers worked there who had cut her hair. But she didn't.

After lunch, the friends split up and each went her own way. Gerlinde ended up right by the bench in front of the church and sat down. Again she began to think about the fact that she had lied. She had not lost her faith in God and that was why she found it so difficult to come to terms with this thought.

If I tell them where the store is, there's no way I can work there and if I tell them that I want to work there, just for a few hours, then they might not want to talk to me anymore, because that's beneath them. She couldn't let go of these thoughts. She couldn't talk to her husband about it either.

One of her friends came past the bench and sat down with her.

Gerlinde, you weren't serious about the store, were you? You know where it is, can't you tell me, because your hair looks good.

Gerlinde noticed the blush slowly rising in her face. But she just waved it off and said: "No, I'm afraid I can't."

At least that was the truth, she thought. They stayed and talked for a while and then went home.

At home, it was the same as always for Gerlinde. No one was there. She made herself something to eat and sat down in front of the TV, then went to bed. She would have liked to talk to her husband about it, but he wasn't there and she wanted to work there without him finding out.

Or should I tell him after all??????

Roslind and her colleagues

Roslind told her colleagues about the meeting with Mara. They were amazed because they all had the feeling that it was just too early for Mara and that she was just tired. Roslind said: "Sometimes you realize how good something is when you don't have it anymore." Some of her colleagues could understand this, as they had also thought about switching or had even switched because of the time before work. But they came back because they realized how valuable this time before work had become to them.

Of course, not everything went smoothly, but they talked to each other and tried to solve the problems and not put them off. Every now and then they had to forgive each other and they realized how good it did them every time. They often solved their problems with each other and tried to deal with each other in love. Over time, they also realized how much they appreciated each other. God's love changed them and each other. Without him, they would not have made it this far.

Jenny, for example, had changed stores because she was annoyed by the praying and the strange behavior. It was nice in the other store, but she noticed that some things weren't clarified here and that something wasn't right between some of her colleagues. They were friendly with each other, but sometimes there was a strange atmosphere. The customers didn't notice it, but the employees did. She stayed there for a while anyway, as she didn't want to embarrass herself by admitting that being together in the morning was a good thing.

Over time, it became difficult for her to work with the one employee, but they were both always there at the same time every day. Sometimes Jenny didn't even want to go to work there anymore. Slowly, she began to think that she should look for another job. And so she did. But not back to Mrs. Klein. She went somewhere else again. This time it was better, but it wasn't as good there either, there weren't as many customers as before and so someone had to leave. It was Jenny, of course, as she was the last to arrive and had only been given a temporary contract.

She finally got round to calling Ms. Klein again and asking if she had a vacancy. No, she said, not at the moment, but Jasmin was pregnant and there would be a vacancy when she had her baby. Jenny was delighted and accepted with thanks. Mrs. Klein was not surprised, as she knew how valuable the time in the morning was for everyone and some of them came back because of it. Each one said that she only noticed it when she no longer had it.

Of course, there were also some who didn't come back. But those who came back suddenly appreciated the time together in the morning, even if they didn't live with Jesus.

Mara seeks out Roslind

When Mara got up in the morning that Sunday, all she could think about was when the service would start and when it would end so that she could meet Roslind. She had got up early enough, but she didn't know when she had to be there to meet Roslind. Better to go a little earlier, maybe even to the church service? Oh, better not, Mara thought, who knows what they'll talk about there.

She had breakfast and then set off on her bike to get there on time. During the ride, she kept thinking: What do I say? What do I ask? I have no idea. It took a while, but then she arrived. She sat down on the bench and looked over at the building. She hoped that Roslind would come out again and sit on the bench, as she said she liked being there. She waited for a while, but she realized that she was a little too early and was getting a little chilly. She didn't want to go inside. But it was starting to get cold and she thought: maybe just go into the entrance area, it will be a bit warmer there.

She went through the front door into the entrance area. She heard singing and just thought, it's nice music, I wouldn't have thought so, I only know those old songs that were accompanied by the organ and they were boring. But this music was somehow different, it tapped your foot a little. Drums, bass, guitar and keyboard, that's what it sounded like and the voices sounded good too. She was beginning to like the music. Then she heard the pastor say a prayer and then the service was over. Oh, the service is over, I'd better go outside, Mara thought and went back outside so that no one would know she had been there.

She had gotten a little warmer, but it was still a little too cold for her, so she hoped that Roslind would come out soon. Unfortunately, she didn't come out. And somehow she couldn't see her either. So she thought about going back inside after all.

So she waited a little longer, hoping that Roslind would come out. She slowly had to decide whether to go in or go home, because she was getting too cold. No, it's just too cold and going back inside now is starting to look stupid.

Then she saw Roslind with her family. They were in the church and were still talking to the other people in the church.

So again the question of going or going in? Mara didn't dare and was just about to leave when she heard Roslind coming out of the church. She walked slowly towards her and Roslind spoke to her: "Hello Mara, nice to see you."

Mara: "Hello, Roslind, I wanted to talk to you again about the time in the store in the morning. Can we meet up about that?"

Roslind: "Yes, I'd love to, maybe Wednesday after work? Here at the bench and then we'll see where we can go."

Mara: "That's fine, Wednesday is OK. That would be around 7:30 pm here at the bank."

Roslind: "Fine. Then I'll see you on Wednesday."

Mara was glad that she had met Roslind and could finally go home to have a warm cup of tea and warm up. She drove home whistling happily. Now she wanted to think about the questions, because she wanted to have answers and not just have a conversation with Roslind. So she grabbed a piece of paper and pen and off she went!

Let's go? But what should I ask? I want to know what changes during my time with God in the morning and how it changes things. But how do I ask that? Mara pondered back and forth and almost couldn't fall asleep at night because of it.

Gerlinde - vacation and work?

The thought of talking to her husband didn't leave her at first, because she wanted to work somehow, but how would that work? Gerlinde thought about how she could fit the time to work into her everyday life. The thought kept coming up, I would like to talk to my husband about it, but I know his answer, you don't need to and you shouldn't. But she longed for something she could do. She picked up the phone and dialed the number of the Klein hairdressing salon, but then immediately hung up again and asked herself what she was doing here.

She had arranged to meet her friends for breakfast and so she went to the café where they had arranged to meet. The other two were already there and were surprised that Gerlinde was so late. She was usually the first one there.

She couldn't talk to them about it and she thought that was a shame, because you should be able to discuss something like that with a friend.

But they talked about the grandchildren, the new store that had opened, the hair color, the nail polish, etc. Unfortunately, they never talked about things that Gerlinde wanted. Unfortunately, they never talked about things that were important to Gerlinde and that sometimes bothered her. Of course, they also talked about their husbands and how little time they always had. Gerlinde was glad that her husband always had time on Sundays, which wasn't the case with her friends.

Elli asked: "Aren't you planning to go on vacation again soon? Where are you going this time?"

This question brought Gerlinde out of her thoughts and she began to talk about her plans. "We're thinking about India or New Zealand, we keep looking at both countries from time to time and haven't decided yet." That put the idea of work to one side again for the time being and she raved about both countries. They talked for a while about the countries, the pros and cons.

Time passed and they said goodbye and went home. The thought of the vacation made Gerlinde put work to one side again and not worry about it.

They wanted to book their vacation on Sunday, as it was due to start next month. She couldn't make up her mind, just like with work, and she didn't know who to talk to about it either.

Sunday came and over breakfast Gerlinde and her husband talked about what was nice about which country and what wasn't so good. Each had its beauty and also things they didn't like.

During the conversation, Gerlinde accidentally mentioned the Klein hairdressing salon and briefly stopped, but her husband didn't notice anything at first. She was glad about that. In the end, they had decided on New Zealand. They were both looking forward to the vacation, but most of all to spending time together.

Mara and Gerlinde

Mara had just come home from work when she bumped into Gerlinde. They almost passed each other, but then Gerlinde turned around to talk to Mara. "Do you have a minute, can you tell me a bit about the hairdressing salon, what the colleagues there are like and the customers?" Gerlinde couldn't stop asking and realized that she should take a break so that Mara could answer.

Mara talked about her colleagues and listed a few names. Gerlinde wondered if she didn't know one of them, shook her head and continued to listen to Mara. Mara said that they often praised each other and told each other what they had done well. There is also criticism, but they try to solve the problem together. Customers are sometimes swapped because one of them gets on better with the other.

The customers are usually satisfied and make a new appointment when they leave. Some talk about their problems, which sometimes takes more time, but then someone else takes on the next customer.

Mara said: "I didn't notice that I missed the interaction that was there, I thought it was great that everyone looked at what you did well rather than what you did wrong. There is also criticism, but everyone tries to value the other person and I overlooked that when I was there."

And as she talked about it herself, she realized more and more what she missed about the salon. More and more thoughts came up about what was good and the problem of being there earlier became smaller and smaller for Mara. She was amazed that she was giving herself the answers she actually wanted from Roslind.

Gerlinde listened quietly and was also amazed at what she heard. Good things together. Good things together. That was going through her mind the whole time she was walking home. Trying to say positive things to each other and trying to solve problems together. It all sounded far too good. These thoughts kept running through her head. The thought of praying with others in the morning and not alone was also very good. Again she wondered whether she should give it a try. It sounded too good, far too good not to try it out. Gerlinde decided to go back to the Klein hairdressing salon the next day and ask if she could try it out for an hour. She hadn't worked for a long time and she didn't know if she could still do it, but she decided to give it a try.

Gerlinde's call to the hairdressing salon

She got up very early in the morning to go and talk to Mrs. Klein, call her, she thought to herself. She drove there, the salon was still closed, strange, they always meet at this time of day. Why isn't anyone open? Gerlinde was standing in front of the store door and had rung the bell. It's strange that no one opened the door, she thought to herself and went to her car. All right, opening time wasn't for another half hour, so she waited in the car. But this time she called first.

"Hello, yes, I wanted to ask if you needed someone to work for a few hours a week? No, oh well. Too bad, I had heard otherwise. Good. Then thank you very much and goodbye."

Gerlinde hung up disappointed and wondered what Roslind had told her. Well, if that doesn't fit, who knows what will. She drove home disappointed with this thought.

She had been slowly looking forward to it and had familiarized herself with the idea of doing some work. She was thinking about when she could best work and how she could juggle it all. Just a few hours a week would be exactly what she had always wanted and now this call.

She would have liked to call Roslind and tell her what strange promises she was making. But she didn't feel like arguing with her now. She drove home and forgot all about her vacation. After all, she wanted to do some shopping and preparations.

The next stop was the usual trip into town to meet up with her friends. The thought of the phone call kept running through her mind. She was very quiet at this meeting and the other two noticed that too. They asked what was going on and Gerlinde would have liked to tell them about the phone call, but she wanted to talk to Roslind first and tell her what she thought. She was the first to say goodbye and walked through the town, not even realizing how far she had walked. She would have liked to call Roslind, but she was probably at work, which was supposed to be so great. She went back to her car and thought about what she could do. Roslind should be off work soon, I'll pick her up and talk to her straight away about what she told me.

Thought, done, Gerlinde drove off and Roslind just came out of the salon. She opened the door and said somewhat gruffly: "Get in!" Roslind got in and asked: "What's going on?"

Gerlinde: "You and your offer? You can work for us by the hour if you can. I called today and was told, no, we don't have a job like that!" she said in a strange tone.

Roslind: "When did you call and who was on the phone?"

Gerlinde: "Some Jasmin."

Roslind: "You should have asked for me, or even better for Mrs. Klein, because such jobs are only possible with Mrs. Klein's agreement and the others only find out about it when it's agreed that someone new is coming. I'm glad you've decided to give it a try." She was excited and cheerful.

Gerlinde: "I haven't decided yet, especially after this call, I need to think about it again."

Roslind: "Too bad, I know that Mrs. Klein is still in the store and we could go in and talk to her. Come on, let's go and see her. She'll be happy too and I'm looking forward to seeing what else you can do. We'll help you at the beginning, but knowing you, you won't need much help."

Somehow Gerlinde didn't want to either. She thought about it for a while and then said: "OK, I'll give it a try, but I'll make my appointments so that nobody finds out. Otherwise it would be a disaster."

"Then let's go in and talk to Mrs. Klein about how we can organize it." Roslind said.

They both got out of the car and went into the salon. Mrs. Klein was still in the back doing the accounts.

Mrs. Klein: "Oh, I thought we'd finished work, you're Mrs. Steinecke, nice to meet you. Roslind raved about you so much, I'm curious to see what you can do and how you fit into our store."

They talked for a while and Gerlinde was able to get started the very next morning. She was excited to see what the morning session looked like and what was done there. She went home satisfied and a little excited because she hadn't split her hair (apart from her own and occasionally her children's) for so long.

Gerlinde's first morning in the living room

Gerlinde woke up early, but it was quiet in the house, which meant that no one was there. That was nice, so she got ready as usual, looked at what she could wear (although she had already searched her closet the night before) and finally found something. But which shoes? Heels, that wouldn't work. Maybe the ones with a low heel. They were finally found too.

She couldn't eat much, so she drank her coffee and ate half a roll. She crept quietly to her car and thought: "There's no one there, I can walk to my car as normal. Besides, I often leave this early.

She drove off and almost drove somewhere else because she was so excited. Finally arrived. She took another deep breath and then got in ... oh no, a quick prayer. Lord, thank you for this opportunity. Please go with me and show me if this is the right thing for me. She whispered and then got out. There was no one to be seen, so she knocked on the store door and waited. It wasn't long before a young woman opened it for her. "You must be the new girl? I'm Jasmin, come in." With those words, Jasmin accompanied Gerlinde into the common room. Helga said: "Welcome. I'd like to introduce you to Gerlinde, who is starting with us today. She works by appointment, as and when she can." Everyone was a little surprised, but it was familiar, as another colleague also worked like this. Everyone greeted Gerlinde warmly and then she was given another coffee.

Helga began: "So now it's time for us to give God the glory together. God, the week is starting again and we thank you that we have work, that we have customers, thank you that you provide for us and that you look after us...."

Roslind and Jasmin also prayed. It was a little quiet in the meantime, but nobody minded. Gerlinde noticed that there was soft music in the background and she listened to it. She knew the one song: You are good. And hummed along quietly.

She noticed that some of the others were humming along too.

The next song was turned up so that everyone could sing along, but Gerlinde didn't know the song. She did know the second one and sang along a little.

Now the music was turned off and the group was asked if there was anything to discuss. Everyone looked around, no one said anything at first, but then one of them said that she had had problems with a customer last week, she was so unfriendly, and together we thought about how it could be different next time, or whether the customer could be looked after by someone else. Well, not everyone likes customers like that, but two of them said that they would help her and that maybe they could swap. Gerlinde was surprised, because that was rare, most of them wanted to keep their customers.

Mrs. Klein also asked Gerlinde if she wanted to talk about herself. She did so in short words about having two children and having stopped working 28 years ago.

Then they went to the hairdressing salon. Roslind showed Gerlinde everything and they worked together for the two hours that Gerlinde was in the store. They discussed the way the hair could be cut, which irritated the customers a little. But everyone went home happy.

Mrs. Klein, Roslind and Gerlinde sat down briefly and talked to each other. Roslind was delighted and said that she was looking forward to continuing to work with Gerlinde. Mrs. Klein said that what Gerlinde had already done looked good. And Gerlinde? She was like: I don't know, I don't know how to do this?

Mrs. Klein said: "Think about it, I would be delighted if you would support us with your ideas. I think you would fit in well here."

With that, Gerlinde left the store. She looked at her watch: "Oh, so late, the others are probably already waiting for me. If I'm always out so late, the others will notice something and I don't want that. No, I can't do that." She drove off with these thoughts.

Wednesday 7:30 pm at the bench

Mara had finished work very punctually and was sitting on the bench waiting for Roslind. This time she was wearing a warm jacket and thicker shoes than last time. It then took a while for Roslind to arrive.

Roslind: "Sorry, but we had to sort something out and it took a while."

Mara: "Never mind, I'm not that cold this time and now we have time. Shall we stay here or go for a coffee?"

Roslind: "I'd like to go for a coffee, because I'm not that warmly dressed and I can tell it's getting chilly"

They went to a coffee shop together, which was just around the corner. They both ordered a tea.

Roslind: "Mara, you said you had questions for me. So let's see if we can get some things sorted out."

Mara: "I've spoken to Gerlinde and I've almost given myself some answers. But if we're here now, we can talk again about what's different in your store compared to the others."

Roslind: "Sure, what are you interested in?"

Mara: "Roslind, you once said that God has changed a lot about you. Your togetherness, that you show consideration for each other, that you try to value each other... How did you manage that and how does that work for you?"

Roslind: "It's not that easy, it means that everyone has to listen to each other and we often find that difficult because we also get annoyed with our colleagues. It costs us a lot, but we also know that God helps us and allows us to understand the other person. We wouldn't be able to do it on our own, it is God's grace that helps us. We have experienced that God has forgiven us through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. He is the Son of God and was without sin as a human being on this earth. And yet he died on the cross, he bore our judgment, he died for us so that we can come to God. God loves us so much that he sent his Son into this world, born as a small child and lived on this earth like us, with pain, suffering, hunger and also temptation. But he resisted temptation. We often don't manage this and that is why we need God's help and his forgiveness for others. This enables us to appreciate the other person and understand the other person."

Mara: "I've heard this before, but people didn't live up to it themselves and that's why I didn't like it. I was often lied to and witnessed how people behaved during the week. On Sunday, everyone acted sooo nice to each other as if they didn't have any problems. I didn't like that and left and wanted nothing more to do with it."

Roslind: "I've been there too and I know, that it is not easy for me to deal with some people in love. They have also hurt me or argued with me or others. But because God forgives my selfishness and my hatred ......, I can also forgive the other person. Nevertheless, I look at how the person continues to treat me and I try to be kind and not let everything get to me and that works when I give it to God. When I involve God in my life, he helps me, he comforts me, he loves us infinitely, because God is love and he wants us to live our lives with him, but he asks you to give him your life."

Mara: "Sounds good, but what about the 10 commandments and all that? God expects a lot from you. I don't know, how is that supposed to work? And how are you supposed to forgive, given what some people have done to you?"

Roslind: "It's not easy, especially if the other person has really hurt you over a long period of time. Like with Bernadette, for example. She certainly talked about how her parents treated her. She was happy when she was finally able to move out, but she is now slowly trying to make contact with her parents again, always knowing that God will help me and show me how far I can go. She talks about it now and then."

Mara: "Yes, I remember, I only listened with half an ear, but I found it interesting. But I didn't understand why she was doing it."

Roslind: "It's her parents and she has forgiven them, but it's not easy to re-establish contact. Many people stay away from their parents' house and I think it's great that she's trying with God's help. That doesn't mean they won't hurt her again, but so far it's working."

Mara: "And what about what God expects?"

Roslind: "God expects you to love him and your fellow human being. He knows that we are not perfect and that we always make mistakes, but he wants us to face the challenge with him. He wants us to trust him more and more and to build our lives and our faith on this. There are people in the Bible who trusted in God and then did something bad. But when we ask God for forgiveness, he forgives us. He forgives and does not hold sin against us. In the Bible we also read about people who trusted God and then something bad happened to them, but God helped them because they trusted Him and experienced God's miracles. But why are you asking all this?"

Mara: "I'm always wondering what's different about your store compared to Mrs. Schmidt's. They are also nice and take care of me, but somehow different and I realize that I lack your appreciation there. It's somehow different and I wanted to know how to do it differently."

Roslind: "I hope I was able to explain a few things to you, because you can't understand God's intervention, you can only experience it. And it's good to experience his intervention."

Mara: "Yes, it seems so. But first I have to let everything you've told me sink in."

Roslind: "Are you planning to come back to us again?"

Mara: "I don't know, I'm just thinking about it. Maybe after my apprenticeship, but that's still a while away."

Roslind: "Well then, it would be nice."

The two of them talked for a while and then said goodbye.

Where is Gerlinde?

Everyone in the store asked whether Gerlinde was starting now or not, but no one had an answer because she hadn't been in touch for a while. Mrs. Klein said: "She probably won't come, otherwise she would have contacted us already. Because it's already been three weeks since she was with us." Some said it was a shame because she was nice, others said well, that's just the way it is, she probably doesn't want to. Everyone slowly assumed that she didn't want to work with them.

Only Roslind was surprised, because she knew that Gerlinde was always reliable. Well, that was a few years ago and they hadn't seen each other for a long time. People just change.

Gerlinde was completely preoccupied with the preparations for the vacation, she had sometimes thought about Mrs. Klein's offer, but she couldn't make up her mind and she didn't have the time at the moment. Preparing for the vacation, meeting her friends and then her husband, who would be home for a few days before the vacation. She had to have everything done by then, then she wanted to visit her children and then go on vacation.

Roslind wondered whether she should call Gerlinde, just ask how she was and whether she had time for them to meet in the café. It was strange not to get an answer. She talked to her colleagues about it and they encouraged her. So said and done. Roslind picked up her phone and did she even have her number? No, Gerlinde hadn't given it to her, they had always met somewhere. And now what? She didn't know where she lived either and it wouldn't be good to accidentally bump into her husband. What was she supposed to say who she was?

Gerlinde was no longer worried about the hairdressing salon and her vacation was due to start in a few days. Everything was forgotten, tomorrow she was going to see her son and she was really looking forward to that and then to New Zealand.

When Gerlinde arrived at her son's, she remembered the hairdressing salon, but how could she call there and she still hadn't decided what she was going to do. Now the vacation was here and she put everything else to one side.

Mrs. Klein said to Roslind: "Too bad, then. She won't be coming. She doesn't need to work either."

Roslind: "It's kind of strange that she doesn't get in touch at all, I hope nothing has happened to her."

That was the end of the thought of Gerlinde and working for them in Mrs. Klein's store. Nobody assumed that she would come back to work. Everyday life went on as usual.

Worrying about Gerlinde

Roslind kept worrying about Gerlinde. She knew that they were going on vacation soon, but at least she could have kept in touch. Roslind spoke to her husband about it, he just said not to worry, she'll have forgotten all about it because of her vacation and won't worry about it anymore. Roslind thought it was a shame and thought she would wait a little longer and then see how she could meet Gerlinde again.

The next day in the hairdressing salon, Roslind spoke to Mrs. Klein again. She waved her off and said that she shouldn't worry, she was on vacation and hadn't thought about us.

After a while, Mrs. Klein approached Roslind again and said: “I've looked in my files again. I also found Gerlinde's telephone number. So if you still want to call, you can now. But who knows where she is on vacation now.”

Roslind: “Oh great, yes, who knows where she is. She's probably on vacation now. Maybe I'll try later.”

Then they both went to work.

Somehow Roslind was relieved, because now she could call Gerlinde, but when?

Gerlinde's vacation

Gerlinde enjoyed her time with her son and his family. Unfortunately, the days went by far too quickly. They only had the weekend and then they went on vacation. But they spent the time together going for walks and playing games. They didn't have to worry about food either, because they often went out to eat.

Every time Gerlinde had time to herself, her thoughts went back to the hairdressing salon. But she tried to push the thought to one side again, which she usually succeeded in doing. It was much more important to her to spend time with her husband, her son and his family. Nothing else was on the agenda right now. But this thought kept coming up and she sometimes thought: just don't tell anyone about it, just don't think about it.

The time with her son went by far too quickly. Everyone loved it. Now they were flying to New Zealand. They had booked a round trip by train and stayed in different hotels. This meant packing their bags and traveling again and again. But it allowed them to see a lot of the country.

She was fascinated by the mountains, the lakes and the sheep. She really enjoyed the time and it was fantastic to travel by train. Traveling along the Pacific, the birds, the kiwis and, and, and.

So much beauty. And she always thought: Wow, God created all this for us. That's wonderful. How good our God is to us.

And then the thought of the hairdressing salon came to mind again. Why here of all places, she thought. It's so far away. But she realized that this very thought of God reminded her of it again. She thought about how they had prayed in the morning, it was a nice time that she had actually missed. “Is it worth starting there?” she asked herself. She also took time to pray at home, but together, that was different.

She pushed the thought to one side again. The vacation was beautiful, there was something new to discover every day. Every place was beautiful in its own right. It was slowly coming to an end. The return flight was soon. Gerlinde thought about the hairdressing salon again. Again she thought of the time we spent praying together. Somehow it was something she sometimes missed. She hadn't noticed it at all, because she hadn't missed it for a long time. Now it was a question of what she should do. Her husband would sometimes ask her: “You're so pensive is something wrong?” She shook her head and said, “No, I'm just thinking about home.” “You do now,” he asked her, ”Do you miss it? I thought you liked it here?”

“Yes, it's very nice here, but we're flying home soon and that's what I'm thinking about.” Gerlinde replied and she was glad that her husband didn't ask any more questions.

She knew that she absolutely had to call Mrs. Klein's store and make a decision. So she continued to think about it, this time with the aim of making a decision. Yes, no, maybe, I don't know. The thoughts went back and forth in her head.

Finally, she had some time to herself as her husband went for a walk with two other men. She knelt down and prayed: “God, I don't know what to do. I would love to work there, but how am I supposed to manage that with my husband? I don't want to lie to him and I don't want to lie to the others. God show me the way. I need your help.” She was silent for a while, trying to figure out what God might be saying. But she heard nothing at that moment. She picked up the Bible and tried to read it a little to see if she could find an answer. Again, nothing. A lot of encouraging things, but not the answer she needed.

Her husband came back and she didn't have time to think about it any more. At dinner they sat together with a couple who were very nice, he had also been on the walk. The two men talked about the walk and how much they enjoyed the trip. The other woman said that she was slowly looking forward to going back to work. She has a small café where she works with 2 employees and she enjoys it with the guests. Some come several times a week .....

Gerlinde listened to her, especially the part about looking forward to it. She looks forward to her work. Would I be looking forward to work too, she asked herself. She didn't have to think for long and she almost wanted to shout it out loud, yes, I would look forward to it too. So she finally had her answer. Now she knew that she would call Ms. Klein and say yes. She spent the rest of her vacation full of joy, because now she also had a job she was looking forward to.

She just had to see how she could manage not talking about it, because she would have preferred to tell her husband.

Her husband didn't notice because Gerlinde was usually cheerful when they spent time together and as it was nice here, he just thought she was so happy to be on vacation.

Back home again

When they returned home, everyday life was as usual, her husband left the house very early and only came back in the evening. They had been back home for three days when Gerlinde finally picked up the phone and was about to call Mrs. Klein. This time it was Roslind and she was relieved.

“Oh, nice to have you on the line,” said Gerlinde.

Roslind was surprised because the voice didn't sound familiar to her at first. But then she said: “Oh, it's you Gerlinde, we were already wondering if something had happened because you hadn't called. I hope you had a nice vacation.” Roslind didn't want to ask because she thought that Gerlinde would give her or Mrs. Klein the answer. She just asked if she should get Mrs. Klein. Gerlinde would have loved to tell her about her vacation, but now the arrangement with Mrs. Klein was more important.

“Yes, can you give it to me,” said Gerlinde and she only heard the receiver being placed on the counter. A short time later she heard: “Klein, hello Gerlinde, what can I do for you?”

Roslind listened intently. Unfortunately, they couldn't turn the volume up, otherwise customers would have overheard and they didn't want that. They were both excited. Finally Gerlinde started to speak and said: “I would like to start with you, when can I come by and discuss everything with you?”

Roslind was delighted and gave her colleague a thumbs-up.

Ms. Klein said: “The day after tomorrow morning would be fine, or wait, how about tomorrow evening?”

Gerlinde was thinking about it and it took her a while to answer: “Tomorrow evening isn't possible, I can't make it. But the day after tomorrow morning is fine. Should I come straight away in the morning for prayer time?”

“Yes, I'd love to,” said Mrs. Klein, ”see you then.”

Gerlinde had finally dared to come, but she wondered how she was going to manage it. She looked at her calendar to see when she could work. She wrote down the times that she knew would work. Mornings were usually the time. She just had to make sure that a spontaneous breakfast with her friends didn't coincide with her appointments. Every now and then it happened.

Gerlinde was there on time that morning. She was looking forward to it and was excited to see what it would be like to work regularly. She enjoyed the prayer time and thought it could have lasted a little longer. But now the work started for the others.

She sat down with Ms. Klein in the office and they discussed what was possible and how they could arrange appointments for customers, because calling Gerlinde every time was not an option. Ms. Klein thought it was good that Gerlinde had already looked up times and she entered them in the calendar.

“We'll see who we can give you first as a customer, because we usually make sure that everyone keeps their customers,” said Ms. Klein.

Gerlinde just nodded. They worked on Gerlinde's contract and after a short time everything was ready. “So that means we'll see you again the day after tomorrow. Nice to meet you,” said Ms. Klein and they said goodbye. Mrs. Klein just hoped that Gerlinde would get in touch sooner and not always let time pass if there was something wrong.

Gerlinde happily went home again, but looked at her watch and realized that she would soon be meeting up with her friends. But she still needed things to wear to the store. Later, she thought, and drove home.

When she met her friends, she wanted to start blabbing and tell them the news, but she kept quiet and was happy to see them again.

Roslind is happy about Gerlind's start

Roslind was already exceptionally cheerful at work. Her colleagues were infected by this, so that customers were surprised that everyone was in such a good mood. It was just noticeable. Not that they weren't usually cheerful, but today was different. One customer was already asking what there was to “celebrate”. Roslind looked at Mrs. Klein, who just nodded and Roslind told her that they had a new colleague and that she was very happy about it. Oh how nice, when is she starting? The customer wanted to know. Roslind just said the days now. That was the end of the conversation.

When Roslind came home, she was still so happy. The children didn't notice, but when her husband came home he asked: “What's wrong? You're so cheerful.” At first Roslind just said, “I don't know if I can tell you.” But then she blurted out: “Gerlinde is starting with us for a few hours a week and I'm so happy about that.”

“Oh, that's great, I'm so happy for you. You've talked about it before,” said her husband. He was always happy when his wife was so cheerful, because it rubbed off on the whole family and she also made his favorite meal.

Even the next day, there was still a lot of joy in the air.

Finally, the day arrived when Gerlinde was back in the store. Roslind worked with her again and the customers went home very happy. Gerlinde then had to leave again, but they had done 3 customers' hair together and each of them had had something done to them. She enjoyed working in pairs and seeing together with the customer what could be changed, because Gerlinde had new ideas and so they learned from each other.

Mara meets Gerlinde in front of the hairdressing salon

Mara sometimes drove past Mrs. Klein's hairdressing salon and wondered whether she should start there again. Or try out a few other hairdressing salons? But it was good there, she thought. Well, gaining experience elsewhere isn't bad either. With this in mind, she drove past the store and saw Gerlinde just coming out. She turned around and asked; “So, just been to the hairdresser or started working?”

Gerlinde hadn't even seen her yet. She looked up and said: “Oh, it's you Mara, I thought it was someone else. Yes, I've decided to start working again and it's fun. I never expected it to be like this.”

Mara: “How come? What made you do it?”

Gerlinde: “Oh, on our vacation trip, the one woman said how nice it was to come home and work again and have a job. And then I realized that I also need something like that to look forward to when I get home. Because thinking about what I'm going to do every time I come home isn't so nice either. That's why I just dared to do it. I hope I can manage it. And how are you? You should already be thinking about what you're going to do after your apprenticeship.”

Mara was trying to decide what to say because she was so undecided herself. “I don't know, I'm still thinking about it, plus it'll be a while before I'm finished and then I'll have to see if I pass the exams. One thing I do know is that I won't be taken on by Ms. Schmidt. ”

Gerlinde wondered whether she should help her, but quickly dismissed the idea as she didn't have the time. Too bad, she thought.

Gerlinde: “Well, then I hope you make it and then you know where you're going.”

They said goodbye and Gerlinde thought about how she would feel after her training. She didn't know where she was going either, because she wasn't being taken on at the time, which was just as certain as it was for Mara.

Mara drove home and continued to think about what she should do. Gerlinde was now also working for Mrs. Klein and that made things a little more interesting, but the question remained as to whether they would still have a job for her. At school they often talked about the hairdressing salons, everyone told how they were doing there and what was good and bad about it. It wasn't so easy, because everywhere there was something that wasn't so good or who wasn't so nice. Nevertheless, a decision had to be made at some point. Mara was of the opinion: “Well, let's get to know another salon first and then see what's best. There were several hairdressing salons in Hamburg, so she had plenty of choice. But it's not easy because of the large selection and the idiosyncrasies.

Gerlinde's first customer

Today was finally the day. Gerlinde had always worked with Roslind and today she was to do the client's hair alone. She was used to it, but it had been such a long time, so it had been nice to work with Roslind. She greeted the customer, showed her the chair and asked if she wanted something different or just a haircut. The customer only wanted her hair a little shorter. OK, thought Gerlinde, and started shortening her hair.

It wasn't a problem to shorten the hair, but somehow talking to the customer didn't work. It was easier with Roslind, she asked questions or just chatted away. When she was at the hairdresser's herself, it wasn't a problem, but cutting hair in silence was strange.

Jasmin looked over from time to time and noticed that Gerlinde was having problems. She walked a little closer than she had time for and asked the customer how she was and what was going on with her grandchildren. Gerlinde breathed a sigh of relief and started to join in the conversation. At last, she thought, and she was enjoying it again.

Afterwards, she went to Jasmin and thanked her for her help. “No problem,” said Jasmin, ”I know what it's like and it sucks when I don't know how to talk to a customer. I often can't think of anything and then Roslind has often helped me.”

Now came the next customer. Gerlinde was a little nervous about whether she would be able to do better here, because she knew herself how good a visit to the hairdresser was when you talk to each other. So she thought about what Jasmin or Roslind had said to the customers. And also what she always talked about at the hairdresser. Not that easy. It used to be easy when she was training and afterwards. Now it was suddenly so difficult.

Jasmin came to her again and said: “You'll manage. If necessary, we'll help you with a few ideas. You can talk to the woman who's coming now about going on vacation, ask her where she's been.”

Gerlinde breathed a sigh of relief and then the customer arrived. Gerlinde greeted the customer again and showed her to her seat. The first thing she had to clarify with the customer was clear, but then. Gerlinde was a little uneasy, but she tried not to let it show. She prayed briefly: “God help me, I need your help.” She hadn't done that for a long time and she noticed how it gave her a little peace.

Then she started to ask the customer if she wanted something changed or just shortened. “No, just a little shorter and wash them too, because they'll look better then,” said the customer. Gerlinde was a little relieved, because Jasmin would then do the washing and maybe she could pick up something to talk to the customer about. So she took the customer to the washbasin and handed her over to Jasmin. She chatted happily with the customer and she heard her laughing. Unfortunately, she couldn't understand much. So she had to try to find a topic of conversation with the customer herself.

Jasmin handed her the customer and said: “Family reunion in Lüneburg, maybe that will help you.” Oh yes, a little bit. Lüneburg, that's where she sometimes went shopping. Let's see what I can come up with, she thought. Now it was time to cut her hair and talk to the customer a little. Cutting her hair was easy and that's what she did. Now to talk to the customer. She asked: “How did you like Lüneburg?” And the customer went on and on, so that Gerlinde was relieved and thought: Thank you, God.

This customer did her good and she also had her say from time to time. Afterwards, she thanked Jasmin and then happily went home. It was good to be back at work and to have a job, and even better that she enjoyed it. She slowly got more and more into talking to the customers, which made it easier and easier. Even with the customer with whom she had problems at the very beginning, it became easier over time.

Gerlinde was always happy when she went to work for a few hours and would have liked to work even more. But she had to manage everything so that nobody noticed.

Morning hour in the salon

Gerlinde had slowly settled in and enjoyed her time praying in the morning. She would have liked to go there on the days when she didn't have to work, but she also enjoyed her time at home in the mornings. Besides, there wasn't enough time because she always met up with her friends for breakfast on those days.

She always found this time of prayer very relaxing, because she realized how appreciative God is and how much he loves everyone. They always had time to read God's word together, a passage from the Bible, and talk about it. But most of the time was taken up by prayer and then some agreements.

When the first conflict arose between two colleagues, Gerlinde was amazed at how calmly they spoke to each other and how often this “problem” was brought before God. It took some time, but then they apologized and tried to deal with each other better. They didn't succeed and so they tried again to solve the problem, the conflict. The two avoided each other for the time being, as much as you can when you work together. But they also realized that something had to change. But how? One of them suggested that they should say something positive to each other every morning, noon and evening so that they didn't always see the other's faults.

They tried this for a while and it got better. At some point it subsided and everyone listened to see if it was getting worse again. But over time, they had become so accustomed to discovering something positive in the other person that they continued to do it, not to the same extent, but they got on well with each other again.

Everyone was relieved and thanked God that things had got better.

Slowly, Gerlinde also learned more and more songs that were sung in the morning and there were always new songs to give God the glory. She only ever knew the songs from the old hymnal, which were also good, but the new songs were so different and beautiful. The lyrics always matched how she was feeling and Gerlinde liked that. She slowly memorized some of the songs and sang them at work and at home. Her husband didn't notice this because she always sang songs when she was happy and that was usually when they were spending time together.

Everyone else often sang the songs quietly in the salon, sometimes loudly if they knew that the customers knew the songs themselves or enjoyed listening to them.

Gerlinde often marveled at what she experienced there and said: “It's really something special to work here.”

The exams for Mara

The training period was slowly coming to an end for Mara too. The exams were coming up and she didn't know how she was going to pass them because there was still so much to learn that she couldn't do anything on the side because she was working. She would have preferred to call in sick so that she had time to study. But that wasn't possible, because she also wanted to practise for the practical exam. So another solution had to be found.

She worked out that she could take a break from her part-time job in the restaurant until after the exams. She enjoyed it too, but she needed the break. She was getting really good at styling her hair and that made it a lot of fun.

But those stupid exams. That was the reason why she didn't want to do an apprenticeship. She was able to study for it and was able to reproduce a lot of things, but in an exam like that everything was blown away. There was nothing left, maybe very easy answers that worked, but normal questions that she could answer in class didn't work. What was she supposed to do?

She practiced as well as she could, but every time she thought about the exam, she felt as if everything was gone. She tried to practice with her classmates, but some of them didn't want to because they realized that Mara couldn't reproduce anything when she thought about the exam.

She tried to mobilize Sven, because he knew that she had this problem and tried to practice with him. It worked with him too and she became a little calmer. But the exam date was getting closer and closer and she would have loved to hide in a corner. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible because she had to pass the exams or she would no longer be able to work in this profession. She became increasingly desperate and wondered what she could do.

Some classmates suggested a tranquilizer, others told her that she should see a psychiatrist. Simply to the doctor or a pharmacy. So she did and asked if she could get a mild tranquilizer. The chemists gave her some, she tried it and realized that it didn't do anything. She went to the doctor and had something written down, she looked at it skeptically. But the exam was getting closer and closer, so she tried the medication. Unfortunately, she slept far too well on it, so it didn't help either. So back to the doctor again, another new medication. This time, she didn't sleep, but was all woozy, as if she had been drinking alcohol. No, that didn't help either.

What could she do? Unfortunately, she had no answer.

Mara needs help

Mara tried to get a solution from her friends and family, but no one knew what she could do. So what now?

Of course she thought of Roslind and Mrs. Klein, but they would only come with their God and Jesus and she didn't want that. It's just not mine, she thought. So she didn't go to them, but tried to manage on her own as best she could. Of course, she couldn't get the thought of God out of her mind and kept pushing it aside.

As if she had deliberately walked towards the bench in front of the church on Sunday, but Mara looked up surprised to see where she had landed at that moment and that someone was calling her. It was Roslind. No, I don't need you now, thought Mara. But too late, she was actually pleased to see Roslind, because she had often helped her when it came to training. She sometimes gave her tips that always helped her. But here, she didn't want to hear her answer, because she actually knew it.

They sat down on the bench and Roslind didn't say a word about how she was doing, but talked about how nice it was that Gerlinde was working for them now and about all the other things that were different in the salon.

Suddenly Roslind was taken aback and said: “Mara, you're so quiet, I don't know you like that. You usually talk as much as I do, what's wrong?”

Mara: “Oh, nothing, just the exams.”

Roslind: “You do them with ease. You can do it all.”

Mara: “Yes, actually I can. But I don't like exams.”

Roslind: “I don't think anyone likes them, but unfortunately they have to be, so that, oh, you know that yourself.”

Mara: “Can't you carry on working without exams? Isn't there another option?”

Roslind: “Unfortunately not, but everyone has to go through that when they're learning a job. Can I help you in any way?”

Mara would have liked to shout yes, but something made her say NO in such a way that Roslind stumbled and fell silent. Mara had expected a long speech from Roslind, as she knew it from her parents, but she just kept quiet and said nothing more. They both sat there and remained silent. Mara always wanted to get up, but somehow she didn't want to. She thought it was nice that Roslind sat there with her in silence and didn't bombard her with any blah-blah.

They sat like that for a while until Roslind asked: “And now what?”

Mara shrugged her shoulders and would have loved to snuggle up to Roslind. But she couldn't do that, she couldn't do something like that. She didn't want to get up and leave either. She enjoyed sitting there in silence with Roslind. They sat like that for a while.

Mara: “I'll probably fail as usual and then see what I can do. It's a shame it gives me so much pleasure.”

Roslind was still silent.

Mara: “That's just the way it is, I can't help it. I just don't know what I can do. Whenever I think about the exam, I can't remember anything, nothing at all, no matter what I do, it doesn't work. I've practiced with my friends, I've even asked Sven and he's practiced with me too. I've even been to the doctor and tried medication, nothing, nothing works.”

Roslind was wondering whether she should tell Mara how about we give it to God and ask him to help you? She wasn't sure and so she continued to think about what she should say and how she could help Mara. She prayed to God and asked him what she should say to her, God, how can I help her? Roslind couldn't let go of the idea of praying with her. But then she asked Mara: “What happened that you are so afraid of this? Maybe it would help if you talked about it?”

Mara: “Oh, I've tried that several times and it didn't work. My mother even took me to a psychologist, but he just listened and gave me some advice, telling me to think about what I could do and nothing more. That didn't help me either.”

Roslind: “Maybe we can look again together at what's making you so anxious and pray about it?”

Mara wasn't so enthusiastic because praying wasn't her thing. But why shouldn't she try it out, because she needed help and it also helped in Mrs. Klein's store. “All right,” said Mara. “But not now, I have to go home. When can we meet up? Are you free tomorrow?”

Roslind thought about it and said: “Tomorrow morning, before work, would that suit you?”

Mara: “Tomorrow morning, I can manage that. But inside at the bakery around the corner?” They made an appointment and went home.

The meeting before work

Both were still tired when they met. They each ordered a coffee and then Roslind said: “Let's start by asking God to be here with us.”

Mara: “All right.” Roslind prayed briefly and then they started talking.

Mara tried to think about what it could have been that she always failed the exams and where this fear came from. No, it wasn't this and it wasn't that either, they thought about a lot of things together but made no progress.

Then they both had to go to work, so they arranged to meet the next morning.

This time they met at a different bakery and had coffee again. Both were a little more alert. Roslind prayed for God's help this time too. Again Mara told them a few things about her life and again they wondered together if that was the reason. Again nothing. Again they parted without any result.

The next morning, they were having coffee again at another bakery.

Roslind prayed and they continued to talk. Mara said: “I remember a paper we wrote in French. My teacher somehow had it in for me. She kept picking on me when I didn't report and when I did report, she overlooked me. Then came my first assignment with her and I completely flunked it. I got the comment from her that she would have thought of that. I soon changed schools because we had moved and so I thought that I didn't care what the teacher was like. But apparently not.”

Roslind just listened and said: “What makes you think that?”

Mara: “Every time I wrote an assignment, I always had to think about that comment from the teacher and as a result, one or two assignments at school didn't turn out well. I don't know why I always had to think about her before my work. I never noticed it because I always told myself that I didn't care. I don't have them anymore, so it doesn't matter.”

Roslind: “How come you've noticed it now? Surely you've already spoken to someone about this situation?”

Mara: “No, this experience was too insignificant for me and it never occurred to me when I talked to others about exam nerves.”

Roslind: “Great, then at least we know where it comes from. Now we just have to see how we, or you, can solve the problem.”

Roslind began to pray and thank God that he had shown Mara that it was from this experience that she had test anxiety and gave it to God to help them further.

They both had to go back to work and said goodbye.

This time they had to take a few days off to meet in the mornings as neither of them were able to. This gave Mara a little time to think about the situation with the teacher. No, it couldn't have been that important, could it? She asked herself the question and then thought, that doesn't get me anywhere now, I'll see what Roslind and I can change.

But God, can he really intervene?

For her, God always belonged in a church, but not in her life. It was somehow too close for her. But she knew that a lot had changed in Mrs. Klein's store and that she herself had noticed how different the two hairdressing salons were. Could it really be because of this god? Or is it just that they are trying harder themselves? She wanted to ask Roslind about it but said that she would say that God had done it anyway. So she didn't ask Roslind after all.

They finally met again.

Roslind: “So, have you looked into the situation a bit?

Mara: “Yes, but I didn't get any further. I can't do anything with it, except that the situation with the teacher was stupid.”

Roslind: “I know you don't think much of it, but I would like to invite God to help us again, maybe then we can get a little further.”

Mara just said: “Go ahead.” And Roslind prayed.

They were silent for a while this time. Neither of them had any idea what to do next. So they took another break with the morning meeting and when they met, Roslind prayed and nothing much happened. Mara was about to give up and said to Roslind: “Let's take a break for a while, it's no good so far.”

Roslind agreed and said: “But I'll keep praying that God will help you.”

Mara's conversation with Sven

Mara went to see Sven at the weekend and tried to talk to him. She wanted to know how he had done with his exams. Maybe he had come up with an idea, because they had already talked about it several times. He also helped her and she became calmer with him. So they sat down together and Sven told her what had helped him.

He then started talking about God and that he was grateful to him for it.

Mara thought to herself: That too, him too.

But Sven talked about his experience and how he overcame his fear. Not only did he simply give it to God, but he also said to himself again and again when this fear came up: My God is greater, my God helps me and with him I will make it.

She asked him: “Do you think it will help me too?”

Sven: “If you believe in what you're saying, then it will help you too. Just try it out and see what changes.”

Mara: “I don't know, it all sounds so strange.”

Sven: “If you don't try, then you don't know if it will help. Try it and trust in God.”

Mara. “I don't believe in this God at all, how is that supposed to work?”

Sven: “Try it, maybe you'll experience God's help anyway.”

Mara. “I'll try, because I don't have much choice and the exams are coming up soon.”

Mara called Roslind and made an appointment, they met again in the morning over coffee and Mara told her what Sven had said to her. Somehow Mara wanted Roslind to pray for her so that when she said this sentence, it would help.

Mara's learning - The exam

Mara sat down and continued to study as usual. She asked Roslind to quiz her from time to time, which they did every morning.

It wasn't so easy because Mara never managed to answer Roslind. She always just said: “That sentence from Sven doesn't work.”

Roslind: “Maybe you should say it out loud, try it.”

Now Mara kept repeating this sentence: “My God is greater, my God helps me and with him I will make it.” Nothing happened for quite a while and she would have liked to say, oh come on, let's leave it, but something stopped her. And so the two of them tried to work it out and Mara didn't even notice how she started to give answers without thinking for long and, as time went on, she was able to answer Roslind's questions really well.

Roslind didn't say anything at first and thought that Mara herself should notice. But Mara didn't notice. They practiced for a while and then came the exams.

Mara said: “Roslind, I hope I can answer the questions just as well as you did.” She didn't say a word about God or whether this sentence had helped, because she wanted to wait for the exam.

Then came the day of the written exam. She was scared and kept repeating the sentence that Sven had told her. She whispered it over and over again. Even in the written exam. The teacher warned her to be quiet. But she was able to write down answers, not the way she had answered Roslind, but she wrote and that did her good.

She had managed that part. She didn't know what grade she got, but she wrote something and she couldn't do that otherwise. The first part was better than usual. Now came the practical part for her. Performing wasn't such a problem, but maybe saying something about it was so difficult for her. But in the middle of the exam, she remembered two or three sentences and was able to do it. Again, the question was about the grade and whether she had made it. But the teachers didn't tell her anything.

So she had to wait for the oral exam. The day approached far too quickly for her liking. She would have preferred to practise with Roslind for a few more days, but now the time had come.

She walked along with trembling knees and said to herself the whole time: “My God is greater, my God is helping me and with him I will make it.”

She sat in the exam room and would have liked to run away, but that was no longer possible. She had to get through it now, no matter how bad she felt and how nervous she was. She was asked the first question and couldn't give an answer. She knew the answer when Roslind had asked her the question, but now the answer was gone. She spoke Sven's sentence again. The next question again she couldn't answer. This time she said: “God, you helped me so well with Roslind, help me here too.” Another new question, the teachers became a little restless, but waited. It was an easy question and Mara thought about it. She had the answer in her head, but could she say it? I have to say it, otherwise.... She tried hard and a strange answer came out. She tried again and this time the right answer came out. Mara was relieved and took a deep breath. Now came another easy question, this time she immediately remembered the answer and it came out correctly without any detours. She was slowly feeling better. She just thought: “Just don't ask a difficult question, just don't.” There were now three more easy questions, which she answered quite well. Now came a more difficult question, which she was able to answer and she tried to give the answer with a few detours. Nobody said: “Thank you, you've failed.” Everyone was patient with her and so she was able to answer a few more questions.

She was finally out. Finally done, she thought. Now everyone had to wait until the last ones had passed and then the results were announced.

Mara just thought: “I didn't pass anyway, it was so cruel what I said and wrote. I must have failed.”

A classmate told her to wait and stay calm.

Then the time had finally come.

The results were in. Again, everyone was called in individually. She was somewhere near the end and had to wait a very long time. 2 had already failed and it was supposed to be 3. Mara was firmly convinced that she was 3rd. And so her hopes faded when she was called in and someone was still waiting. The teachers told her the written grade was a 4. She hadn't failed yet. The second grade was a 3 in the practical. She took a deep breath. Oral was so bad, she thought. The teacher said a 4. She would have liked to stand up and hug him, but she didn't. The thing she would have preferred to do was go to Roslind, but she knew that she was working and Sven was also working. So she couldn't go to him either. But who could she tell?

She remembered her parents. She drove home full of joy and called her mother. When she heard, she was very happy. She just found it strange that she was talking about God and his intervention. That he had helped her. “Well,” said her mother, ”the main thing is that you made it.”

The phone call wasn't long and Mara was home alone with her joy. Funnily enough, she began to thank God for his help, which seemed strange to her, but she thought it was right, because he seemed to have done something.

Mara's party with friends

Mara didn't wait until Roslind had finished work, but went shopping first and then wanted to pick up Roslind and Sven.

She knew when Roslind got off work and went into the store. Roslind: “Oh, Mara, what are you doing here?”

Mara: “To pick you up for my party, because I passed, not with good grades, but I passed and I wanted to celebrate with you and Sven, because you helped me the most. I hope you have time.”

Roslind: “If you wait a little while, we can go out together, I just have to call my husband and then we can go.”

Roslind's phone call didn't take long and they were both outside the store. Now they just had to make sure they reached Sven. Mara said: “The easiest way to see if he's there is to go to his apartment, he usually drives home after work.”

Roslind: “Do you have his phone number, why don't you give him a call? Or is that not possible when he's at work?”

Mara: “Oh, yes, I can do that too, I didn't even think about it because I was so busy getting ready. I'll call him straight away.”

This phone call didn't take long either and Mara told Roslind that he was at home and that they could go there.

So the two of them made their way to Sven's apartment. When they got there, everything still looked so dark. Mara just thought maybe he was in the back room. So they rang the doorbell. The buzzer opened the door for them and they went upstairs. When they arrived at the front door, Sven opened it for them and when they entered, they saw that he had already prepared something.

Sven: “I thought you'd make it, so I'd already bought a little something. Let's have a toast.” Everyone was handed a glass of fruit punch and Sven said: “No need for alcohol, fruit punch tastes just as good.”

They toasted each other and sat down.

Mara started talking about how the exams had gone and how she hadn't expected to pass them. They talked for a while and then Sven suggested watching a movie, which the other two liked. They ended the evening with the movie and Roslind took Mara home.

Mara: “Thank you for your help. I couldn't have done it without you.”

Roslind: “If I can help, I'm happy to, but God did most of it, but I think you know that too.”

Mara: “Yes, but none of this would have happened without you. Thank you again.”

They said goodbye and Roslind drove home.

Gerlinde's problem at Salon Klein

Gerlinde went back to work in a good mood. She had a new customer today and she didn't know what to expect. Well, she already knew new customers, but she always had help there, mostly from Roslind, but she wasn't there, she was on vacation for a few days.

A little nervous, but looking forward to the morning, she drove to work.

When she arrived, she realized that there was a strange atmosphere.

She tried to find out why, but everyone kept quiet. She only noticed that Mrs. Klein and Susanne were silent. Some had noticed what was going on, but didn't want to talk about it because they didn't want to say the wrong thing or gossip. It felt like everyone was waiting for Mrs. Klein to say something. But nothing came.

So everyone went about their work, including Gerlinde. Her customer arrived and everything went well so far, but then she needed a little help and as Susanne was next to her, she asked her what she could do.

Susanne only gave a snotty reply, “Think about it yourself, you did the training too.”

Gerlinde was surprised, she had never received an answer like that before. She went to Bernadette and asked her about it and she helped her. She just said, “You don't need to ask Susanne, she's stressed at home and needs to change her working hours and she brought that up with Ms. Klein today. The two of them have to sort it out first, then I'm sure it'll be fine.”

Gerlinde: “Oh, what does she have to change?”

Bernadette: “Let's not talk about it now, Susanne should tell you herself so that I don't tell you anything wrong. She has enough problems and she doesn't need any gossip.”

Gerlinde just said, “OK,” and went to work, now that she knew what to do next.

As Gerlinde was about to leave, Mrs. Klein called her into her office and said, “I'm sorry, Gerlinde, but we need to talk about the working hours again, because we can't be quite so flexible at the moment. Susanne has to cut back and so we'll all have to rearrange the hours a bit. Think about how you can always work on which days so that we can plan for the changeover.” Gerlinde looked at her, puzzled at first, but then realized that Mrs Klein was serious.

“I'll see when I can work, I need some time, will it be enough if I let you know on Monday?” said Gerlinde.

Mrs. Klein: “That's all right. Oh, I just wanted to tell you that I'm happy with your work.”

With that, Gerlinde went home. It was a strange day at work. Somehow not the way she knew it there, but she found it good to work there and so she wanted to think about how she could continue working there.

When Gerlinde got home, it occurred to her, who can I talk to about what happened at work today?

She thought about it, because Roslind was on vacation. She didn't know who she could call or speak to. She couldn't tell her friends about it.

Mara? She should be at work, right? Or not? She had passed her exams and might be on vacation, right?

Gerlinde thought about how she could reach Mara.

She called Mrs. Klein and asked if she could give her the phone number.

Mrs. Klein said that she would call Mara first and then Gerlinde again.

It didn't take long and then Mrs. Klein called back.

“I can give you the number. She's at home too, waiting for your call.”

Gerlinde noticed that Mrs. Klein was puzzled.

Gerlinde asked: “Is everything all right?”

Mrs. Klein: “Yes, you've just given me an idea, but here's the phone number first.”

Mara and Gerlinde's phone call

“Hello, Gerlinde, what's going on that you're calling me?” asked Mara.

Gerlinde: “It was so strange at work today and I wanted to talk to someone. Roslind is on vacation at the moment and I can't talk to my friends, you noticed that too.”

Mara: “Yes, I did. What happened?”

Gerlinde took a deep breath and tried to explain what had happened at work: “Susanne was so strange to me today and everyone noticed that something was up with Susanne and Mrs. Klein. I heard from Bernadette that Susanne was having problems with her working hours, but I wonder what that has to do with me.”

Mara: “I can help you a little with that, because Susanne was a bit taken aback when she heard about your working hours, because Mrs. Klein never really addressed her problem with her working hours because she didn't have to. I once saw Susanne come out of Ms. Klein's office in a rage. What did Ms. Klein say to you?”

Gerlinde: “She told me to think about when I could work full-time.”

Mara: “Oh, I thought you had a contract that said you could work flexibly?”

Gerlinde: “Yes, I do, but it also says if it's compatible with the company and it's not at the moment. Mrs. Klein has asked me from time to time whether I can work at other times, but that's a bit difficult for me. What's your job situation like? What are you doing at the moment?”

Mara: “I'm thinking about it, I have to decide and apply, but it's not that easy with the grades. Most of us have better grades and that's why they're more likely to get a job, but I'm thinking about where to apply and then I'm also a waiter, so I have to reconcile that. It wasn't so easy for me during my training, but I don't want to stop completely. It's fun where I work and the people are nice.”

Gerlinde: “If you don't want to work full-time, maybe you could apply to us again, I think Ms. Klein would take you on again.”

Mara: “I don't know, I left because of the morning class, but it wouldn't bother me so much anymore, maybe even help. But I don't know what Mrs. Klein would say and whether she would take me back.”

Gerlinde: “Why not, it's better to take someone you know and know that they'll fit in than someone from outside, and as far as I know, no one has applied to us yet. Should I ask Ms. Klein?”

Mara: “I'll write to you tomorrow, I need to sleep on it.”

Then the two of them said goodbye.

The next day in the salon

Gerlinde also went to work that day and Mrs. Klein came straight up to her and asked how Mara was doing, what she was doing now that she must have finished her training.

Gerlinde replied that she didn't know exactly, but also ...” she broke off, because she wasn't supposed to talk about that yet.

Mrs. Klein: “I was already thinking about whether we should approach her and see if she could help out with us, temporarily, because I don't know if she wants to work full-time at all. But I'm sure she'll already have a job, because there are plenty of places.”

Gerlinde didn't say much about it because she didn't want to talk to Ms. Klein about it until she had Mara's OK. She would have preferred to say, oh, Mara would be happy, just give her a call.

But she didn't do that.

Susanne had called in sick today and so there was a lot going on in the salon. Gerlinde had to work a little longer because of it, but that suited her today for a change. Somehow she found it nice to work more today, to participate normally and to be part of the team.

She also had new customers as a result, but it wasn't that difficult.

Somehow the time passed very quickly and when Gerlinde looked at the clock she thought, oh, so late, I have to stop slowly.

She went back to Ms. Klein at the end and said: “I really enjoyed it today. We should really talk about working hours.”

Gerlinde took the precaution of checking her cell phone to see if she had received a message from Mara. Unfortunately, no.

And so she happily drove home.

There were no more appointments for her today. Too bad, thought Gerlinde, I should have stayed at work, maybe next time. She made herself something to eat and sat down on the sofa. A bath wouldn't be bad now, she thought, and put the thought into practice.

She checked her cell phone several times to see if Mara had at least written, but there was no message from Mara. Too bad, thought Gerlinde, I would have been happy if Mara had worked with us.

Gerlinde realized that a day when she was working was nicer and not so boring. And she was pleased that she had made this decision.

Mara's job search

Mara finally sat down at her desk and started writing job applications again. She'd had enough practice, but she was used to getting rejections, so it wasn't a task she enjoyed doing. She looked at the job advertisements on the Internet and thought about which ones might be suitable. Most of the jobs were full-time positions, hardly anyone was looking for part-time work, so these jobs were in high demand.

She wondered what she could do to get such a job. There was no such job for Ms. Schmidt, at least she didn't know anything about it. There was no job advertised at Ms. Klein's, so there wasn't one there either.

And now what?

At least try where there were part-time jobs.

She had two or three applications ready and she wanted to drop them off herself the next day in the hope that it would help. So off she went to the first store the next day.

She arrived quite early, they were still setting things up until the first customers arrived. But then she realized, I don't want to work here, they hardly talk to each other, it's kind of a strange atmosphere here. So she left straight away.

Things were better in the second store, where she met a classmate who had also passed her exam. She was very happy to see Mara and encouraged her to hand in her application, which she did.

In the third store, the boss was there straight away and asked her what she could do for her. bjearch Mara handed in her application here too and spoke to the boss straight away and went home happy and hoping that it would work out.

The next day, the same thing again, looking through newspapers and the Internet to see if she could find a part-time job. Again there were two of them, again writing applications and again going there and hoping that they were good places. One of them already looked strange from the outside, so she didn't hand in her application there. The second one was OK. She handed in the application and went home.

The next day she looked for jobs again and wrote applications again...

She did this for several days and waited for replies.

Slowly the first, second and third rejection came.

Mara kept hoping that she would finally get an acceptance.

Sometimes she thought about what Gerlinde had said, but Mara quickly pushed this thought aside because she wasn't sure whether she would even be accepted there.

Her thoughts revolved around Mrs. Klein's store.

Do I really want to work there? Be there an hour earlier every morning than in the other stores?

I know how annoyed I was by this singing, this praying.

I have experienced that this God has helped me with the exams, that Roslind has helped me, but I don't know if I can stand it.

She looked in the newspaper again and saw the same advertisements.

Mara drove to the next store, it turned out that they were only looking for someone for certain things and she didn't want that.

The next store was a bit further away and so she had to take the streetcar and the bus, which she didn't like because she was always on the road for half an hour. But she did take a look at the store.

They were nice and it seemed like it might be a good fit.

She drove home again.

She kept thinking to herself, what am I going to do?

After she kept getting one rejection after another, she no longer pushed the idea of working for Mrs. Klein so far away, because she had to think about Gerlinde's words that she had problems with the working hours and Susanne too and that it was difficult to get it together.

Mara said to herself, maybe I can start there after all, if they need someone who works flexibly, that's good, it's a good fit.

It wasn't an easy decision, so she thought about talking to Sven.

Mara and Sven - the application

She knew that Sven was still up late at night and so she called him.

Hello Sven, do you have time to talk, I need a little help.

Yes, I'd love to come over, sometimes it's easier to talk then, I'm off tomorrow, so it's fine.

She didn't like cycling through Hamburg late at night, but this time she made an exception. It was very important to her and she got around well.

She knew she had to get a job soon because of the rent and everything else, as her other job wasn't paying as much. So she had to apply quickly.

When she arrived at Sven's house, she rang the bell and waited briefly. The door opened quickly and she went in. Sven had a visit from a friend, which was very inconvenient for Mara and she was just about to leave.

Sven said: “This is Michael, an old school friend, we can talk here in peace and he's going to the kitchen while we're gone.”

Mara knew, as she had lived here briefly, that you could understand a lot of what was being said in the kitchen if you listened carefully. But what could she do, she was there now and wanted to talk to Sven about the job.

Michael went into the kitchen and she heard him turning on some music, so she was reassured.

“Go on then, I hope I can help you,” said Sven.

"You know that I've finished my training and now I have to look for a job. It's not that easy and I keep thinking about whether I should apply for a job at Mrs. Klein's store. I just have my problems with the time in the morning and I don't think they've just disappeared. I've realized that this God exists, but I don't know if I want to go through with it, because it's a challenge for me."

Sven didn't answer straight away, but gave Mara a short pause.

"I've already applied to other stores, but one of them is so far outside Hamburg that I have to travel a long way and the others are always looking for someone to do certain jobs.

At Frau Klein, I only need 10 minutes by bike. The people in the other stores are also nice, but being nice at the interview and working together nicely are two different things. I just don't know. Whenever I look around for another job, I always compare it with the people at Ms. Klein's and then I think, no, they're not that nice. I don't know why that always happens.

Roslind is just very nice and she's already become a friend of mine and that's why I'd like to work there, but then I think, aren't we sitting too close to each other? Isn't that too much?

And then there are the morning hours. I would get a part-time contract that would suit me, because I want to keep doing my other job for the time being, I enjoy that too and I know that Ms. Klein will take it into consideration.

Oh, it's not that easy. And I thought you could help me."

Sven didn't say anything at first, then he suggested that Mara make a list of what she liked and didn't like about Mrs. Klein's store.

Mara: "Do you think that will help? I'm always thinking about what I like and what I don't like, that's why it's so difficult."

Sven took out a notepad and just said: “Now tell me the good things about Mrs. Klein.”

Mara started and listed this and that. How friendly they were and that they tried to sort things out with each other..... Sven had the feeling she wasn't going to stop. He said in between: not so fast, I can't do shorthand. And so they filled in the positive side.

When they had finished, Sven took the next piece of paper and they wrote down what he called the not-so-good. This note also took a while and there were a few points here too.

Now Mara thought, we're done now and we'll talk about it.

Sven said: “So, now we'll move on to another store that you haven't found yet, but that you're looking for.”

Again, they put both the positive and the not-so-good sides together.

Then Sven said: “Now we can compare them with each other and see what could be better and what is good, let's just see how your dream job matches up with Ms. Klein's and where it doesn't.”

They sat at it for quite a while, looking and comparing, it took a while and Michael said: “I'm going to bed now, you go on in peace.”

They both looked at him in amazement, but when they looked at the clock, they realized how late it was.

But they carried on. But Mara was always bothered by this morning meeting.

Everything else was OK, but this morning meeting.

Sven said to Mara at the end: "You know that this morning meeting isn't so bad and that you also talk to each other and not only pray, but also sing songs. You can only find out if you try it out and now you're not so tired in the morning, maybe that will help."

Mara just said: "Thank you for your help, but I don't like the morning meeting. And then she drove home early in the morning."

When she got home, she went to sleep, but even in her sleep her thoughts kept returning to the morning meeting. Somehow it didn't leave her any peace.

So she soon got up again and again her thoughts turned to what to do.

She had forgotten the notes from Sven because she had thought, I don't want to start with Mrs. Klein anyway, so I don't need them. But now? Now she was missing these notes and was about to go to Sven. But then she remembered that Sven had said that he was off with Michael to see Hamburg, things that you don't normally see.

So she had no choice but to either write her thoughts down again or wait until Sven was back home. Both took too long. The only person she could talk to about it was Roslind, and she was too biased, she kept thinking.

From today 20.11.2023 I will publish this story bit by bit.

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I hope you like the 2nd story. Feel free to write to me.