A neighbor boy, little Christopher, was just three or four years old when he was severely injured. He was with his parents in a store that had two levels and the shopping carts were moved from floor to floor on a conveyor system. Christopher and his family were waiting for their cart to come down to the first floor when it broke free. It came crashing down into Chris, leaving him badly injured and terribly disfigured.

There were several operations to heal the injuries and disfigurements. But what could not be fixed was little Christopher’s heart. He was so traumatized that he was afraid to go to sleep at night, and when he did fall asleep, Chris experienced severe night terrors.

One evening, Christopher’s parents invited their parish priest to the house to seek guidance about what to do. As they were talking, the little boy crawled up onto the priest’s lap and fell asleep. When the priest left, his mom and dad carried him up to bed, making sure to leave the light on. But Christopher, waking, said, “It’s okay, you can turn the light off. I don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

His mom and dad looked at their son, puzzled. “You won’t be afraid anymore?”

“No,” said Christopher, “Jesus told me he would watch over me at night so I don’t have to be afraid.”

“When did Jesus tell you this?” his father asked.

Christopher answered, “When Father John held me I went up to heaven and that’s when Jesus told me I don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

And little Christopher never had another nightmare again.

True story.

Go figure, huh?