Plays, A Russian Proprietor, And Other Stories & Where Love Is, There God Is Also

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The story follows Martin Avdeitch, a skilled shoemaker who lives a solitary life in his basement workshop, only able to see the feet of passersby through a small window. After suffering the loss of his wife and children, he is left to care for his young son, who also dies, leading Martin to question God's existence. A missionary encourages him to embrace faith and accept that God's will is beyond human understanding. This encounter prompts Martin to read the Bible, initially on holidays, but soon it becomes a daily ritual that fills his life with peace and joy. One night, after reflecting on a passage about Jesus and a Pharisee, Martin believes he will meet God the next day. He watches expectantly from his window and encounters several individuals in need. He invites Stepanitch, a snow shoveler, into his home for warmth and conversation, and later helps a young woman and her baby with food and clothing. He also intervenes in a conflict between a young boy and an elderly lady, showing compassion to both. That night, while pondering God's absence, Martin is visited by the three people he helped, who reveal that by serving them, he was serving God. This realization brings Martin to a profound acceptance of faith and divine presence in his life.