Children’s Story

Children’s Story – Wellington

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Grandma lives on a farm in Missouri where she raises English Bulldogs. One of her special bulldogs is named Wellington. Wellington is a good-looking, broad-chested, block-headed, male English Bulldog.

Wellington had always been kept in an enclosed, 8-foot by 12-foot kennel, close to Grandma’s house. One day, Grandma decided to move Wellington to a new, outdoor run. This run was a 16-foot by 16-foot area with a nice wooded dog box made especially for him. But once there, Wellington barked and barked. His neighbor, also an English Bulldog, fought with him through the fence. Wellington would whine and bark, then they would fight again. On and on Wellington barked and fought, long into the night. Wellington did not like being cast into the outdoor darkness where there was “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

You see, Wellington liked his kennel close to his master’s home with his family. He did not like being outside the kennel. He wanted to be back home; that is why he barked long into the night. When Grandma came out the next morning to let Wellington out of the run for some exercise, where do you suppose he went? He ran as fast as he could right to his old home. He shoved the door open with his strong, burly chest and front paws, then ran to his kennel, unlatched the kennel gate, and hurried inside, where he sat with a big grin of contentment on his face. He was so happy to be back home! Wellington made it quite clear he did not like being outside the kennel. His heart’s desire was to be inside the kennel.

Are you like Wellington? Do you like to be close to your Master, or do you like to be outside the “kennel”? Wellington did not like being outside the kennel. The Bible calls it being cast out into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12.). Wellington did not want to be cast out! He ran as fast as his stubby legs and big, strong body would move him, straight back to the master’s home. Do you run on the straight and narrow path for the kingdom of heaven, or are you looking to be outside the kingdom, doing your own thing in the outer darkness, far removed from the safety of the Master?

Wellington is a fine example of how we are to be in our actions, focus, and direction. He walks and acts like a champion, as we should walk and act as sons and daughters of the King. All he thought about that long, dark night was how he could return to the safe home of his master, just as we should always be striving for the heavenly home so we can be with our Saviour.

What are the requirements to enter the heavenly home? “Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14. When we walk on the straight and narrow path into that heavenly home, we will have a big grin of contentment on our faces, just like Wellington had.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14. Will you join me on the straight and narrow path to the heavenly home of happiness?

Children’s Story – Good Neighbor Policy

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When I was growing up, my father used to say, “No matter who they are or what they do, treat your neighbors with love.”

I did not fully understand what he meant until one Sabbath, when on our way to church, we spotted someone shoveling corn from our crib into a battered old truck. Dad stopped the car and got out. The man looked up and froze. I knew this man!

Everybody in town had suspected him of stealing their gas! No one had ever confronted him for fear of his violent temper. Now we had caught him red-handed! What was Dad going to do?

My father called to him and kindly said, “If that is not enough, come back tomorrow. Take as much as you need. Remember, you are my neighbor.” The man dropped his shovel and hung his head.

He never stole from us or anyone else in town again, as far as I know. Perhaps he learned how to be a good neighbor that day. I know I did.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Leviticus 19:18.

Find the following words from this story in the word search puzzle.

CHURCH

NEIGHBORS

CORN

SABBATH

CRIB

SHOVEL

FATHER

STEALING

GROWING

TOMORROW

LEVITICUS

TOWN

LOVE

TRUCK

C B G H D M N D U C P F Q P L

D I N R H P E J N M I Q N E H

T R I D G N I L A E T S V T W

W C W S E B G X J C W I R C H

J O O M U J H P N Z T U X T N

N D R S X C B W Y I C C A R H

V R G R Y T O K C K S B Y E E

Y G O M O T R U M C B K H S Z

K N P C T M S D N A A H D A S

S D E J E F O U S C J C D I H

V R T U V O P T T Y H X C F O

F A T H E R V I P K E U U A V

D P D H R E V O L D E M R D E

R A A R W K B C G R F W L C L

S N F W C P O M U E Z W V T H

Children’s Story – A Courageous Visitor

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Samuel Levick rubbed his eyes and looked again. Yes, surely he was not mistaken—a thin wisp of smoke rose from among the trees that nestled in a hollow between two wide rolling fields. Somewhere hidden behind him was the home of his friend Gardner whom he was visiting. He had walked far, for his legs longed for exercise, while his brain was tired with the continual strain of carrying spiritual comfort wherever he went on his journey throughout western New York.

The sight of smoke, when he supposed he was far from a hearth, roused Samuel from his thoughts. He walked rapidly down the hill and peered in among the trees. In the deep, damp shade he could make out a hut of rough, unpainted boards. A rusty piece of stovepipe, sticking out at one end, served as a chimney from which the smoke poured. Openings that might once have had glass for windows were now stuffed with old sacking. Samuel walked nearer, picking his way between rotting branches and piles of brush. Still no sound. He stepped to the door and knocked loudly. Almost before he could withdraw his hand, the door was jerked open with a creaking of hinges. Nothing was visible within, but a coarse voice, startlingly loud and close, cried, “Who’s that?”

Samuel was entirely undisturbed.

“May I ask who lives here?” he inquired politely.

“Nobody but me,” and the door slammed shut.

At this point, most men would have been glad to leave. Not so Samuel Levick, who was quite used to talking with people whose unhappiness made them gruff and rude. He lifted the door-latch and without hesitation stepped inside. Before his eyes could adjust themselves to the dim light, he felt a man push past him, and the door was closed on the outside. He groped for the door, stumbled over a broken chair, and stepped outside. A little distance away stood a tall man, so thin and gaunt that the little clothing he wore seemed to hang on him as on a scarecrow. His face and head were covered with scraggly black hair; his eyes were horribly bright and piercing. A great wave of pity surged into Samuel’s heart. Here, evidently, was a hermit who had tried to put himself beyond the help of men and yet who, above all others, needed the hand of a brother.

The man stooped and picked up the axe that lay at his feet. Samuel only stepped closer.

“I have come to see you. Let us sit down on this log and talk together,” he said.

For reply the hermit, still grasping the axe, darted to the door and slammed it behind him. Samuel sat alone for a few minutes upon the fallen tree trunk; then he leisurely arose, knocked courteously again upon the door, and, receiving no answer whatever, again stepped inside. This time the hermit turned toward him with a gesture of despair. The axe was gone, but a flicker from the open stove gleamed on the barrel of a rifle leaning against the wall.

Samuel placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. He shuddered slightly and dropped his burning eyes, but stood still; then he pushed a stool forward, and by a gesture invited Samuel to be seated. The hermit himself dropped on a box in the shadow, his eyes fixed with eager longing on the placid, kindly face of his guest.

Two hours later, Samuel Levick walked into the study where his friend Gardner sat and described his visit to the hermit. Gardner was astounded. He told Samuel that this man was considered one of the most dangerous characters in that part of the country. No violence was supposed to be too desperate for him to undertake against anyone who approached or disturbed him.

“All, whether they are rich or poor, high or low, dependent or independent, need kindness, sympathy, and love.” Counsels on Health, 399.

Children’s Story – The Lord Will Provide, Part I

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It was the last week of the month. As I was getting ready to prepare our Sabbath meal, I stood in front of my pantry, looking at the empty shelves. I wondered what I could do. The small ration that the Communist government of Cuba allowed per family per month was gone. Only two cups of rice and a small bit of oil and part of a loaf of bread were left. From my summer garden I had a green plantain (a banana that you cook), two tomatoes, and a small head of lettuce. That was all the food I had to feed my family for Friday night, Sabbath, and Sunday. The first day of the next month was on Monday, and I could not go to the store to buy more food until then. For my family of three—my husband, Hugo, our daughter, Lena, and me—there was not enough food. We usually had visitors come to our home for Sabbath dinner, but not on this Sabbath!

I put the rice to cook in a little pot. With one of the tomatoes, I made a little salsa, and I cooked six small “meatballs” made out of the single plantain. There it was—all of our food for two days! When Hugo arrived home that afternoon, I explained our food situation to him.

“Please do not invite anyone home for dinner tomorrow,” I implored. He understood.

When I heard our doorbell ring a little later, I went to see who was at the door. It was a young man who had come from a distant city. We knew he was interested in one of the young ladies in our church, so we had told him that whenever he wanted to visit our church, he was welcome to stay in our home. But why today? He was here, however, and I knew that we would have to share what little food we had with him.

While the young man showered, I quickly prepared a glass of water with sugar and a slice of bread for each member of my family. That was our supper. When our visitor came out of the bathroom, I served him a little rice, two of the plantain balls, and one leaf of lettuce made into a salad. “We have already had our supper, because we have to go to the church for a meeting,” I explained to him.

When we arrived at the church that evening, I learned that the girl our friend had come to visit was out of town. “Oh, no!” I thought. “Now we will have to feed him lunch tomorrow!”

My husband gave me the solution the next morning. “Let’s tell him that we are fasting today, so you can then give the food to him and Lena.” I agreed.

While sitting in church that Sabbath morning, I noticed a man from a neighboring church attending with his young son. He had brought his older son to a nearby hospital and had decided to stay at our church for the church service. My thought was, “Two more for lunch today!”

Later in the morning, Hugo whispered to me, “There is a couple visiting from Havana. When I was in the seminary, I was assigned to the church where they are members. Many times they had me to their house for Sabbath dinner. We have to take them home.”

My immediate reaction was desperation, but in a flash, Bible stories passed through my mind—the manna in the wilderness, the widow’s oil and flour, the little boy’s lunch that the Lord used to feed thousands. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8), I remembered. Trusting only the Lord, my Provider, I answered my husband with a confident, “Sure, invite them home. The Lord will provide.”

To be continued . . .

Children’s Story – The Lord Will Provide, Part II

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The Story to Now: A family of three living in Communist Cuba had only a small amount of food rations remaining to eat during the weekend. Accustomed to opening their home to guests on Sabbath, they vowed to not invite anyone for lunch on this Sabbath, but the Lord sent them five visitors!

When we arrived home after church, the visiting lady graciously offered her help in the kitchen. “You are on vacation,” I said. “It is time for you to rest. I will take care of everything in no time!”

Going into my kitchen, I knelt in front of the stove on which sat those two little pots with almost no food in them. I told my Lord and Provider, “Lord, here are my fishes and my loaves. It is all I have, and You have asked me to feed these people as You asked your disciples to do that day long ago. I give you what I have. You do the rest.”

While the rice and the plantain balls were warming on the stove, I went to my china cabinet to get a bowl for the small head of lettuce and one tomato. I reached in to take out a small salad bowl, but it was as if the Lord was talking to me. “Where is your faith? Have you not asked Me to multiply your food? You need a larger bowl—enough for all the people and some left over.”

“Forgive me, Lord,” I said, taking out the largest salad bowl I had. As I took off leaves of lettuce, washed them, and cut them into my salad bowl, I did not see the leaves multiplying, but it seemed that the head of lettuce was always the same size; more and more leaves were coming off it. When I finally got to the last leaf, the bowl was completely full. Then I began to cut the tomato, and it remained the same size until I had enough to combine with the lettuce into a nice tossed salad.

The same thing happened with the small piece of bread! Always I was able to cut another slice until I had filled a basket. By now my faith was very strong, so I took out a big serving dish for the rice. I had to laugh when I saw that big dish beside the small pot, but I knew what the Lord was doing. I began scooping the rice into the serving dish, and always the same amount was left in the pot until the dish was completely full. And there was still the same amount of rice left in the pot! “Lord,” I said, “You are providing not only for these people today, but You are providing also for us tomorrow!”

Then came the plantain balls. When I turned on the stove to warm the food, I saw that there were only four plantain balls left. Now, I had a big bowl in my hand, and I smiled, in spite of myself. When I took the pot lid off, the pot was full of plantain balls! I filled the big bowl full, and there were still enough balls left in the pot for the next day!

When lunch was ready, I went into the living room. To my husband, I said, “Honey, I know you were planning to fast today, but since we have these beloved brethren with us, why not join us for dinner? You can fast at any other time, if you want.” Hugo looked at me as if to say, “Are you out of your mind?”

As our visitors went into the bathroom to wash their hands, I led my husband to the dining room table. He could not believe his eyes, and two big tears rolled down his cheeks while he whispered, “Thank you, Lord!”

That Sabbath dinner was the best dinner of our lives. Though a very simple meal, it was provided directly by the Lord. Yes, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

Children’s Story – The Secret of Happiness

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The old man shuffled slowly into the restaurant. With head tilted and shoulders bent forward, he leaned on his trusty cane with each unhurried step.

His tattered cloth jacket, patched trousers, worn-out shoes, and warm personality made him stand out from the usual Sunday morning breakfast crowd. Unforgettable were his pale blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds, large rosy cheeks, and thin lips held in a tight, steady smile.

He stopped, turned with his whole body, and winked at a little girl seated by the door. She flashed a big grin right back at him. A young waitress named Mary watched him shuffle toward a table by the window.

Mary ran over to him, and said, “Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair.”

Without saying a word, he smiled and nodded a thank you. She pulled the chair away from the table. Steadying him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair and get comfortably seated. Then she scooted the table up close to him, and leaned his cane against the table where he could reach it.

In a soft, clear voice he said, “Thank you, Miss. And bless you for your kind gestures.”

“You are welcome, Sir,” she replied. “My name is Mary. I will be back in a moment, but if you need anything at all in the meantime, just wave at me!”

After he had finished a hearty meal of pancakes and hot lemon tea, Mary brought him the change from his ticket. He left it lay. She helped him up from his chair, and out from behind the table. She handed him his cane, and walked with him to the front door.

Holding the door open for him, she said, “Come back and see us, Sir!”

He turned with his whole body, winked a smile, and nodded a thank you. “You are very kind,” he said softly.

When Mary went to clean his table, she almost fainted. Under his plate, she found a business card and a note scribbled on a napkin. Under the napkin was a one hundred dollar bill.

The note on the napkin read: “Dear Mary, I respect you very much, and you respect yourself too. It shows by the way you treat others. You have found the secret of happiness. Your kind gestures will shine through those who meet you.”

The man on whom she had so lovingly waited was the owner of the restaurant where she worked! This was the first time that she or any of his employees had ever seen him in person.

“Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy [is] he.” Proverbs 16:20. “If we educated our souls to have more faith, more love, greater patience, a more perfect trust in our heavenly Father, we would have more peace and happiness as we pass through the conflicts of this life. The Lord is not pleased to have us fret and worry ourselves out of the arms of Jesus. He is the only source of every grace, the fulfillment of every promise, the realization of every blessing. . . . Our pilgrimage would indeed be lonely were it not for Jesus. ‘I will not leave you comfortless,’ (John 14:18) He says to us. Let us cherish His words, believe His promises, repeat them by day and meditate upon them in the night season, and be happy.” Our High Calling, 120.

Children’s Story – Playing for the King

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“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10.

The story is told of a young British soldier who was blinded in battle. He was an accomplished musician and spent much of his time in the hospital playing the piano for the other wounded soldiers. He always put his heart into his playing, hoping the music would encourage the men. One day when he finished a number, someone clapped energetically. The soldier called out, “Who are you?” He was astonished when a man replied, “I am your king!” The king had come to visit and encourage those who had been wounded for their country. Without realizing it, this young man had been using his talent to entertain the king.

Peter says, “each has received a gift.” It may not seem like much when compared with what others may possess, but utilize it “in serving one another.” When it is used, we may be sure there is always an audience of at least one—our Lord and King. Do what you can. You may not get much attention. You may not win an award. You may not be mentioned in the newspaper, but God will notice it.

When Jesus was teaching in the temple, He went and sat opposite of the treasury and watched the people as they contributed their money. (Mark 12:41–44.) There was one who caught the eye of Jesus, but she was not noticed by anyone else. The reason, her gift was too small; but in the eyes of Jesus, it was bigger than all the others.

When you use your gift faithfully—whether it is an encouraging word, a pat on the back, visiting the lonely, generously giving money, making a phone call, providing transportation—whatever it may be, remember, you are playing for the King.

ANOTHER

ATTENTION

BACK

COUNTRY

ENCOURAGE

ENTERTAIN

EYE

GIFT

GIVING

GRACE

HOSPITAL

KING

LONELY

MAN

MINISTER

MONEY

MUSIC

MUSICIAN

NEWSPAPER

PAT

PEOPLE

PHONE

PIANO

PLAYING

POSSESS

RECEIVED

SMALL

SOLDIER

STEWARDS

TALENT

TRANSPORTATION

TREASURY

VISIT

WOUNDED

Z P O X A N E K X E Q C A J J E D E Z M E T N M K E R B A W T Y C U A

J E O S I L P I P O S W M T B O P C Z E G A R U O C N E W S P A P E R

U C I L H A I L S Y K U B X R D A M U S I C I A N K T T I S I V K G T

A D O T W N U D P U D A K F L K O C T S B S C K N D O R E D H R I S M

N S D X O C P M X A K W V J D J I Z D M E B L I V S E R E R L E E Y K

X E X Y L V B L L K Q Z I S F W U A H W B L E N O H P V P A T O O X O

V S N Q Y O O Y Z R Y X W A G F N P A N A Y P G T F M O I W S A S L Q

K P L Y T C N B K D R E W V T O X H U M C J L O N E L Y R E T U I Z V

F J P J N Z G D H S G C S C E F L E S Z K L N X E M A N F T C L R N P

I W S V R V Z U R M I W F Y B N V I C I P A I C L P I M E S A E K Y P

K I Q Q C B F X P A H Y C B T C G W V A I T P L A Y I N G T V T R R Z

O S J D Z H L V F T R E F D U L Z D E P R M H I T N T F I G W T I H M

Y V S W K J L Q K R A V F I Y B M S W E U G N I V I G P B S N F M O A

C R W B T Y Y Q D U P G O Q Q L E O Z J Z Q K J O O S Q T U T S N N N

U F S R D W V D S Q H S I E X R J H W U D E D N U O W P O S S E S S Q

J J P G R V D A I I M Q V V E L D C A C Z L Q S H V C C L F Y S R K S

X Q B X F A O W M R W F X L A T O C O Y T G Z K Q F Q C Z E Z V Z U K

L W L R E L U Y T O X K A X O L F V P A Q J U L R O T J T A I W X Y Z

A F W S N Y H X R L C T P S L P R X U W F K G A M S E T V C A Q F A I

U V E D Y D N N P Z U L S D B V J Y O W U G A P Q S V U M E V Y P H F

R A R P G Q Z I L A H J P W Z Z A E O X L N X V Y N T Y Y Q H X Q E G

X M L Z B C O A D H V T K K D I R W X V Y B U X R K L F Z P L R S J N

K S D I H P C V S P R S L Q A I W X W I M G N O N G H W Y J C K R E D

J Z C C K F J L Z V B C H L N Z E L Z L M P N J L Y C U Q E D U S Y W

M C R N L X K F E K Z N B I S D I U V M K G O F P T I L S L E F K K N

U G O A J M D W U U V D Z I Z Q Z D H R A R F N V Q N N K A W D Z O Z

Q V E A M Z U S Q V Q P K U F P G S F Q E B E Z Y T N Z Y W A F E V J

P G Z T B D Y I O S G F E Q I N R Z Y X G M A I F I G M T F K Q O I V

O Q Q F N M Y E J B F K M J R H L Y R M S V B C M X Z Y K D B T E S G

S X X M S G A V Y Y Z E K I Q W N N Y W C F P W Q K W V R U Q W M T V

E C N W H M N O O A A C C D A P N G J K N D H D D F V Q O G V J I L D

Y I N X Z N F F F Q Y C R D V N N O V V R A G N W W L X E X R J K M L

V Z C W G C B J P W S S X C M C W B M T F L I M T X Z S N K H R D F G

X J X X V F U I V W H V K C Z Q O C O L S D F P K V B H Q N H C G X V

S S V C Y C Q G D C J D K Q N J T Q W S T S Q P A R W W P T B B Y M E

Children’s Story – Small Corners

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Georgia Willis, who helped in the kitchen, was rubbing [sharpening] the knives. Somebody had been careless and let one get rusty, but Georgia rubbed with all her might, rubbed, and sang softly a little song:

“In this world is darkness,
“So we must shine,
“You in your small corner,
“And I in mine.”

“Why do you rub at the knives forever?” asked Mary. Mary was the cook.

“Because they are in my corner,” Georgia said, brightly. “ ‘You in your small corner,’ you know, ‘and I in mine.’ I will do the best I can; that is all I can do.”

“I would not waste my strength,” muttered Mary. “I know that no one will notice.”

“Jesus will,” said Georgia; and then she sang again, “You in your small corner, And I in mine.”

“Cooking the dinner is in my ‘corner,’ I suppose,” said Mary to herself. “If that child must do what she can, I suppose I must. If Jesus knows about knives, it is likely that He knows about dinners.” And she took particular pains.

“Mary, the dinner was very nicely cooked today,” Miss Emma said.

“That is all due to Georgia,” said Mary, with a pleased face. Then she told about the knives.

Miss Emma was ironing ruffles; she was tired and warm. “Helen will not care whether they are fluted or not,” she thought. “I will hurry them over.” But then she remembered about the knives, and she did her best.

“How beautifully my dress is done!” Helen exclaimed. Emma, laughing, answered, “That is owing to Georgia.” Then she told about the knives.

“I believe I will not go for a walk,” mused Helen, hesitatingly. “I will finish that dress of mother’s; I suppose I can if I think so.”

“Why, child, are you here sewing?” her surprised mother queried. “I thought you had gone for a walk.”

“No, mother; this dress seemed to be in my ‘corner,’ so I thought I would finish it.”

“In your ‘corner’?” her mother repeated in surprise, and then Helen told about the knives. The doorbell rang, and her mother went thoughtfully to answer it and found her pastor there. “I suppose I could give more,” she said to herself, as she slowly took out the $10 that she had laid aside for missions. “If that poor child in the kitchen is trying to do what she can, I wonder if I am. I will make it $25.”

And I seemed to hear Georgia’s guardian angel say to another angel, “Georgia Willis gave $25 to missions today.”

“$25!” exclaimed the other angel. “Why, I thought she was poor.”

“O, well, she thinks she is, but her Father in heaven is not, you know! She did what she could, and He did the rest.”

But Georgia knew nothing about all this, and the next morning she brightened her knives and sang cheerily:

“In this world is darkness,
“So, we must shine,
“You in your small corner,
“And I in mine.”

Children’s Story – The Surprise Package Company

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There once was a group of children who were friends and who played together. While on vacation from school one day, they were wondering just what to do.

“I know,” Johnny said, “let’s ride our bikes.”

“Oh, we rode bikes yesterday,” said Sally.

Then Janice spoke up, “Let’s see if we could play a trick on mean old Mr. Brown.”

“Oh, no, that wouldn’t be right!” said Johnny. “My mom said that he only seems mean because he has a lot of pain in his lame leg. It would be cruel to play tricks on him.”

The children were quiet for a long while thinking. Suddenly Janice jumped up, “I know! What if we play good tricks?”

“What do you mean good tricks?” the others asked.

“Well, we could do something nice and nobody would know who did it.” Janice continued.

“Hey, yes!” Judy exclaimed. “It could be like a mystery, and we could leave a little note with a surprise message!”

“It could be like a club. What will we call it?” Sally asked.

“How about ‘The Surprise Package Company’?” Peter joined in.

“Hey, way cool!” the others agreed.

And so “The Surprise Package Company” was born. The children began to think about things that they could do to be helpful and kind. “You know little Georgie has been in the house sick with the mumps. Let’s make up a little gift for him, put a “The Surprise Package Company” card on it, and leave it at his door. We’ll knock and run away, and his mom will find it.” So they each went home to search for some little toy or book to give to little Georgie. Soon they were back. One had a box of nearly new crayons. One had a coloring book. Sally had some stickers. They put the things into a little box and wrapped it with a piece of left over birthday wrap. Janice made the card as she could print real neat. Then they delivered the box and watched from behind a bush as Georgie’s mom picked it up and, smiling, took it inside the house.

The next afternoon they pulled the weeds out of a neighbor’s garden, and they left a “The Surprise Package Company” card right where the neighbor would see it.

The more they did good tricks, the more projects they thought of. They were having so much fun making other people happy! They took flowers from their gardens to an elderly lady and left them where she would find them. They put some money together and bought a few cookies to take to mean old Mr. Brown, and saw him smile as he read the card.

One day, they got a surprise! Someone had been watching them as they went about doing their good tricks, and one day they each received an invitation to a lovely picnic. The invitations were addressed to: “The Surprise Package Company”!

When we help others, we make ourselves happy! That is how God’s universe was set up, so everyone would help others, and no one ever would be selfish. I invite you to try doing some good tricks!

Children’s Story – 26 Guards of the Lord

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Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone, but then just put it on a list, thinking that you would pray for him or her later? Or has anyone ever called you and said, “I need you to pray for me; I have this need”? Do not put off prayer for anyone. Pray when you get the call or receive the urge.

The following is a true story, told by a missionary on furlough at his home church in Michigan.

While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for hospital supplies. This was a two-day journey and required camping overnight at the halfway point. On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from the bank to purchase medicine and provisions for the field hospital and then begin my two-day journey back with the supplies.

Upon my arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting. One of them had been seriously injured. I treated this injured man and, at the same time, talked with him about the Lord. I then completed my errands and returned to the field hospital, camping overnight at the halfway point, and arriving at home without incident.

Two weeks later I repeated my journey again. Upon entering the city, I was approached by the young man whom I had previously treated because of the fight. He told me that he had known I carried money and medicine on my return trip. He said, “Some of my friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We planned to kill you and to take the money and medicine. But just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards.”

At this, I laughed and assured him that I certainly was all alone in the jungle at my camp site. I told him that I had no armed bodyguards that I knew of.

The young man pressed the point, however, and said, “No, sir, I was not the only one to see your guards. All of my friends also saw them; we even counted them. It was because of those 26 armed guards that we were afraid and left you alone.”

At this point in the missionary’s testimony, one of the men jumped to his feet and interrupted. He asked if the missionary could give him the exact date this incident happened. When given the date, the man who had interrupted explained to the missionary and to those in the congregation:

“On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here in Michigan. I was playing golf and was preparing to putt when I felt a strong urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging from the Lord was so strong that I called men of this church to meet me here in this sanctuary to pray for you. Would all those men who met with me on that day please stand?”

The men who had joined in prayer on that day stood. The missionary was not concerned with who the men were. He was counting how many men he saw standing.

Twenty-six men had responded to the call to pray on that morning. Twenty-six men had put on the armor of God for the missionary. (Ephesians 6:10–13.)