Children’s Story

Children’s Story – A Good Foundation

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Johnny and his family had decided to move to a nice quiet area but just could not find the right house to purchase so they decided to rent a little house until they could build their own. It was made a matter of prayer that God would help them to find just the right location in which to buy land.

As they searched, Johnny saw all kinds of interesting places that he thought would make pleasant play areas that would be fun for him to invite his friends. His mom and dad had other priorities and decided on a piece of land way up on a hill which was not really easy to get to and covered in big rocks. As a family they prayed again that God would help them design and build a secure new home. Even though it was not Johnny’s choice of location, he was happy with their decision. He loved to see his mom and dad happy, because it made him happy too. He always asked God to help him to be happy and thankful at all times.

About this time, another family moved in next door to the home that Johnny’s family had rented. He was so excited to meet their son Teddy who was the same age as himself and they became very good friends, sharing many happy times together.

Teddy’s parents also planned to build their own home and Johnny often accompanied them while they looked for land. He was amazed to see how Teddy’s parents were so influenced by what he wanted. In fact, the land that they purchased was the very block that Teddy wanted. Johnny also noticed that Teddy got his way far too much and when he didn’t he was sometimes very disrespectful to his parents.

But now Teddy was very excited and boasted about all of the grassland where he could run and play. Johnny struggled as he compared this to the land that his parents had bought which was just full of rocks and hard to get to. It was not a good time for him at all as he struggled with jealousy and the thought that Teddy was much better off than he was and he really had to pray that God would help him to be content.

Construction started on the two houses. Teddy’s house was going up very quickly, first the foundation, then the walls, and in no time at all it was finished and the family was able to move in. Johnny was often invited over to play in the large, grassy yard. Oh, they had so much fun!

The house on the hill seemed to be so slow in building and Johnny started getting angry with his parents and becoming unhappy with all of their decisions. Then he realized that he was acting just like Teddy so he prayed that both he and Teddy would be more respectful to their parents.

Johnny enjoyed the closeness of working with his father and helped wherever he was able, learning from his experience how to carefully make sure everything was strong and secure. It seemed as though their house took forever while Teddy and his family had long since moved into their home. Finally the home on the hill was finished and with great excitement they were able to move in. He and Teddy had such fun climbing up and down the hills and rocks. In fact, Johnny enjoyed the terrain on the hill far more than at Teddy’s house on the flat.

Winter was now settling in and the weather had deteriorated. Johnny was so glad he felt safe in his fine warm, sturdy home on the hill.

But down on the flat land Teddy was not too sure about his. It was kind of cold and the house did not seem too sturdy when the winds blew. One night the rain came down so hard and the wind roared that it was just terrible! The river rose and soon filled Teddy’s yard with water and the house shook from the wind so much that the family had to evacuate.

Johnny’s parents made sure that Teddy’s family was all safe and comfortable in their home during the storm.

On returning the next morning they found their home in shambles. The wind had blown it to pieces and the flood water had destroyed most of their belongings. Everything was lost!

How grateful now was Johnny that his parents had taken the time and care to build such a secure home that it could withstand the storm. Jesus once talked about a house built high up among the rocks. The steep hillside was difficult to climb, and less accessible than the smooth valley below which was clothed with green grass and springing flowers. But on this low ground was pointed out a house that was now in ruins. It had appeared to stand strong until the wind and storm came and destroyed it.

Read what Jesus said in Matthew 7:24–27: “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Johnny’s house represents the one that the wise man built.

If you obey His word, Jesus will consider you like the wise man who built his house upon the rock. Each time you obey, you are building on the sure foundation just like Johnny’s family did and when the storm came, they were safe and you will be safe also.

Children’s Story – Tough Roots

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A wealthy man had only one son. Because he had no other children, this boy whom he named Anthony was very special to him. From the time he was a little baby, his little boy had everything money could buy. His nursery room resembled a baby shopping center; he had so many toys that it was impossible to play with all of them before they were outgrown. As he grew, the baby toys were removed and replaced with toddler games and other innumerable toys. Anything a little boy of that age would want, Anthony received.

He had several closets bursting with clothes, shoes and coats. There was so many that he grew out of some clothes before he even had the opportunity to wear them. There was also no restriction on what he ate and whatever food Anthony desired and however much he wanted it was always available. He was so spoiled that he could do whatever he wanted.

However, instead of being happy, by the time Anthony reached about 12 years old his father began to notice that his son was very discontented. Anything that he was offered Anthony refused, but wanted something else, throwing tantrums that upset the whole house. He was one very unhappy boy!

It would be most children’s dream to have whatever their hearts desired, but here was a boy who had everything and was not happy. Why? Nothing was held back from him—food, clothes and toys—nothing satisfied him and his father did not understand or know what else he could do about it.

Anthony had developed some really bad habits of arguing, believing he knew everything about anything and that he could do anything he wanted. He would just throw his clothes down anywhere without picking them up and he was never satisfied. He looked down at a lot of people around him, considering himself better than they were.

Out of desperation, the father shared his concern about Anthony with his wise, old Christian friend who gave him some advice. Anthony had never been disciplined or denied anything, so he did not know the meaning of the word no! There had never been any boundaries set in place, so there was nowhere that Anthony could feel safe so he became unhappy, discontented, rude and very grumpy.

The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. Poor little Anthony! His father had not followed God’s counsel and he had not been rightly trained as a child, causing his son to have such big problems that nobody wanted to be around him.

Father’s friend offered to take Anthony home with him and teach him some manners to help him get rid of his bad habits. One day as they walked through the garden he suddenly stopped and asked the boy to pull out a tiny plant. Thinking how easy that would be to a boy who thought he could do anything, Anthony confidently held the plant between his thumb and forefinger and pulled it out easily with a big smile of accomplishment.

Walking on a little farther, the old man asked him to pull out a slightly bigger plant. Anthony pulled hard and the plant came out, roots and all. Of course Anthony’s smile was big because it was so easy!

“Now pull out that one,” said the old man pointing this time to a bush. Anthony looked at the size of this bush and with confidence proceeded to pull. The boy used all the strength he could muster and it finally came out. Of course, there was another proud smile!

“Now take this one out,” said the old man, pointing to a fruit tree. Anthony’s confidence was soaring so he grabbed the trunk and tried to pull it out, but it would not budge. “It’s impossible,” said the boy all out of breath because of the effort he had exerted.

“So it is with bad habits,” said the old man. “When they are young it is easy to pull them out, but when they take hold they cannot be uprooted.”

That session with the old man changed the boy’s life. Anthony understood the lesson the old man taught him, comparing his ugly habits with the different sized roots of each plant. That lesson, along with the prayers they shared, changed the boy’s life. When he went home to his father his whole attitude had changed and he was a new boy, much happier, as was everybody else around him.

Proverbs 29:17 says, “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Consider the meaning of this verse after reading about Anthony.

Children’s Story – Little Lamb

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Many of you have had a pet dog or a pet cat, but what about a pet chicken, bird, rabbit, duck or fish? Well, I have had all those things and more, but I want to tell you a story about our pet lamb!

I had the wonderful experience of growing up on a large 1,200 acre farm with dogs, sheep and cows. My father grew wheat and had hundreds of sheep. We milked the cows and loved our two special dogs, Chum and Mitzie. They were sheep dogs that helped care for the sheep when my father directed them to do so. He did this by loud whistles or short commands which they had learned to understand. By this means, my father was able to round up the sheep and take them from one field to another, through gates, into small pens, up ramps or wherever he needed them to go. Our dogs were very obedient, like children ought to be to their moms and dads!

Every year the mother sheep, called ewes, would have new lambs. If the weather turned cold too soon and there were a lot of unexpected rains just after the baby lambs were born, many lambs would die. My mother would go out into the cold and collect some of the lambs, bringing them into the kitchen beside the wood stove in an attempt to keep them warm, dry and alive. She carefully cared for them, but most would die. This was very sad to us, but we knew that death came about because of sin and it would not always be this way.

We left the farm when I was almost six years of age. We never lived on a farm that size again, but when I was about ten, my father, now a minister of the Gospel, brought home Little Lamb for us children to raise. My two brothers, one sister and I fed our lamb until it was so fat and round that it could not get up or walk. Our mother told us it would probably die because lambs do not know when to stop eating and we overfed it. Happily, our pet lamb did not die. It had to learn some healthful eating habits that helped it live!

One day, when the lamb was not quite fully grown, our family of six prepared to head to church in our car. Dad started the car and slowly pulled away from the curb. Bump! Oh, what was that? Dad stopped the car and out we clambered one after another. Our pet lamb had unwittingly found a warm place to rest in front of the back wheel. He was injured badly. As you would have guessed, we were all very upset.

Our Little Lamb had damaged its hip and could not walk. My mother carefully took him inside the house to the living room where Dad made a frame with a sling where he could hang with his feet just touching the floor. Mother and we children cared for Little Lamb for weeks until he could walk once again. Little Lamb always had a lump and a limp, but he was very special because we had saved his life. He loved us and we loved him.

In the Bible, Jesus describes Himself as the True Shepherd. A shepherd is a person who looks after sheep. Do you know that we are referred to as sheep? Well, we are! In Isaiah 53:6 it says, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” But Jesus says of them who have gone astray, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them.” John 10:27. When we hear His voice we will follow Him. Do you know that He cares for us even more than my mother cared for our lambs? Though we often go astray as lambs do, sometimes by mistake and sometimes because we want to, when we see what Jesus has done for us on the cross we want Him in our heart and mind; we want to love Him too! Jesus will be so happy that we want Him for our Best Friend to make sure our life is filled with happiness, joy and peace—both here and forevermore. Pray and ask Jesus today, to be your Shepherd.

Children’s Story – The Window

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Two young men who were both seriously ill occupied the same hospital room.

Jack’s bed was next to the room’s only window. For one hour each day he was allowed to sit up in his bed to drain the fluids from his lungs. The other man, Jim, whose bed was across the room, had to spend all of his time lying flat on his back.

The two young men became very good friends in a short time and they talked for hours on end about their families, their homes, their jobs, holidays they had and their involvement in activities around their homes and in the community. They were both so thankful to have somebody to talk with and each day they prayed together for God to help them through the pain of each day and to have joy in their hearts.

Each afternoon while Jack was sitting up in his bed knowing that his friend could not get up and needing to hear something about the outside world, he passed the time describing to his roommate the things he saw as he looked out of his window. Jim looked forward to those one-hour periods each day as his friend shared with him, and his world opened up and was given life by all the activity and color of the outside world.

The window overlooked a park that surrounded a lake that sparkled in the sunshine. Ducks and swans swam on the water undisturbed by the children who laughed and played while sailing their model boats. Grand old trees graced the landscape where young men and women walked arm in arm amid the many colorful flowers and shrubs. In the distance could be seen a fine view of the city skyline. As Jack described what he saw in great detail, Jim would just close his eyes and in his imagination view the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon Jack described a parade passing by and although Jim could not hear the band, he could see it vividly in his mind.

Then one day an unexpected thought entered Jim’s head. Why should Jack have the privilege of seeing everything while I am stuck in this bed seeing nothing? It just didn’t seem fair. At first Jim was ashamed of such a thought of jealousy, but as the days passed his envy grew into resentment and very soon he became very bitter. He began to brood about it and was unable to sleep peacefully. The constant thought that he should be the one by that window controlled his life, making him miserable, and he no longer enjoyed Jack sharing with him the things that he saw. Late one night, as Jim lay staring at the ceiling feeling very sorry for himself, he thought he heard a commotion from the other bed where Jack was but did not pay any attention. The following morning Jack was taken to another location. Jim now saw an opportunity for himself and was glad that the bed beside the window was now vacant. As soon as Jack’s belongings were removed Jim asked if he could have that bed. Once the switch had been made and the nurse had done all she could to make him comfortable, he was left alone.

He was so excited, because now he would see everything Jack saw for himself. Slowly, painfully, and after much struggling, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, after all this time he would have the joy of seeing everything himself. He strained and slowly turned to look out the window and all he saw was a blank wall.

Oh, what a letdown! He suddenly realized that all those things that Jack had shared with him to make him happy were the joyful things in Jack’s own heart. He never saw that blank wall. Jim felt so sad now about his attitude of jealousy which had affected the friendship he had before Jack had left.

Both men were very ill and in dealing with that, Jack had decided to always think on the positive things. He knew that true happiness does not depend upon circumstances, but the condition of the heart.

What a lesson that Jim finally learned! Now he really missed his old buddy and the insights of Jack’s heart that had always lightened their situation. Unfortunately, sometimes we do not appreciate what we have until it is gone.

God tells us that, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.

If we regularly put positive, encouraging and uplifting thoughts into our minds and bite our lips before we begin to grumble or complain, we will have much happiness to share with others.

Children’s Story – Never Give Up!

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Keep looking to Jesus, children!

Do you like to run? Can you run fast? Maybe you can run a long way without getting all out of breath! It is good to walk or run for exercise out in the open air. Sunlight and oxygen help us to be healthy and no one wants to be sick. I guess you know it is not good to run a race just to beat someone else. Of course! You already know that. Do you also know that the Bible talks about a race? It says, “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1. Perhaps you know what race it is talking about so think about it while you read this story that happened quite a few years ago. I know the story to be true, as I was there at the time.

This story is about a girl named Karen who at the time of this incident was about seven years old. This happened at a school in Australia, at a place called Avondale College. Karen was attending this school while her father studied to become a preacher. It was school sports day and had come time for the last race of the day. This race was also the longest! Imagine seven-year-olds running all the way around a big field with chairs as markers. If a student ran on the inside of the chairs they were disqualified, so it was important to watch and be alert!

There were dozens of girls in the race, all about the same age standing on the start line. Bang! Away they went, running as fast as their legs could carry them. Not all girls have the same length of legs, so, of course, some went faster than others. Karen was running with all her might, passing first one girl, then another. A group of girls running together called to her to run with them. But she would not. She passed them, yet there were more girls in front some distance away.

Suddenly, from the sidelines a voice called out in a loud voice, “Disqualified. You’re out.” “Oh no!” thought Karen. “I did not see that chair.” She had mistakenly run on the inside of the chair. Was she going to give up now? Oh no; never! Neither should any dear child give up after making a mistake. You know, Jesus is always ready to help and forgive us when we make a mistake. Remember this!

Refusing to give up without a fight, Karen ran back the way she had come, back around the chair until on the correct side and on the right path again. Now, nearly all the girls she had once passed were in front. Setting about again with a determined spirit, she ran forward with every nerve and muscle. Without looking back, Karen kept her eyes straight forward. Something was different as she looked ahead.

Way up front stood a tall distinguished figure of a man she had not seen there before. He was standing to the side near the finish line. Focusing her eyes, Karen suddenly realized that this was her dear father. She could not recall him ever coming to the school before like this. Inside her body and mind, a new energy and excitement flowed as she saw her father quietly watching her. Passing first one and then another, with tired legs and aching side, eyes riveted on those of her father, Karen passed the finish line in second place. The best prize of all was the smile of approval from Dad! He was not a man of many words, and that smile meant more than the apple handed to her for her effort. She knew her father was well pleased with the fact that she did not give up.

Little children, I want to encourage you to never give up with discouragement or despair, but keep looking to Jesus! If we keep running with Jesus we will win the prize of eternal life. If we keep our eyes on Jesus just like Karen kept her eyes on her father, Jesus will help us to the finish line to receive our crown of glory. “Oh, dear Jesus, help every child to look up at You and live.” Amen.

Children’s Story – The Potatoes

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A teacher struggled with knowing how to teach her kindergarten students to get along. It was so bad that she decided to let her class play a game. The children were instructed to bring to class the next day a plastic bag containing potatoes. Each potato was to be given the name of a person that the child did not like, so the number of potatoes each child carried in his sack varied and reflected the number and names of his enemies. Some had two potatoes, some three, while some others had up to five potatoes.

The children were required to carry the potatoes with them in the plastic bag wherever they went for one entire week.

At first the children thought it was fun carrying around these potatoes with names on them, but as the days passed by they tired of the game and began to get sick of carrying around their burdens, especially when an unpleasant aroma wafted from the plastic bag as their potatoes started to rot. There were many complaints, especially from the children who had to carry up to five potatoes, making their bags heavy. At the end of the week there was much relief when the game finally ended.

The teacher asked the children, “How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for one week?” The children shared their frustrations of the trouble that they had to go through carrying the heavy and smelly potatoes. Then the hidden meaning behind the game was told to the children.

She said, “Carrying rotten potatoes with you constantly is exactly what happens when you carry hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred pollutes your heart as well as your body. You carry it with you wherever you go and it affects everything you do. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just one week, can you imagine what it is like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your whole lifetime?”

We must throw out any hatred and evil thoughts we might be harboring in our hearts against anyone so that we do not carry the stench of anger for our whole lifetime. Carrying hatred causes grumpiness and anger and makes the one carrying it hard to get along with. As Jesus forgives us, we also are to forgive others.

Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him into slavery (Genesis 37). You can read all of the terrible things that happened to him, yet he never carried any anger or hatred. Though he was thrown into prison and falsely accused by Potipher’s wife, Joseph harbored no hatred, anger or revenge and was still able to happily help those around him in the prison, warming the hearts of all connected with him. Many years later when reunited with his brothers, though he had been treated so cruelly, he repaid them with forgiveness and compassion. There was not a hint of hatred in his heart.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:14, 15: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Sometimes it is very hard to forgive someone who has done or said something evil against you, but never let another person’s bad actions infect the peace you have available in Jesus.

Forgiveness may be something we give to other people, but it is really a gift to ourselves. Holding onto anger and unforgiveness destroys both health and happiness, causing wretchedness that no one enjoys being around. Each day brings new opportunities for us to forgive and forget.

God is willing to create a new heart and to renew a right spirit in all who ask Him and remove that root of bitterness that so many carry with them.

Children’s Story – Building a Bridge

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In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with Long Island. However, bridge building experts throughout the world thought that it was an impossible feat, telling Roebling to forget the idea and that it just could not be done. It was not practical, and a project like that had never been done before.

Roebling could not ignore the idea he had in his mind of building the bridge. He thought about it continually and he knew, deep in his heart, that it could be done. He just had to share the idea with someone else, and after much discussion and persuasion, he managed to convince his son Washington, a construction engineer, that the bridge could be built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how any obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the prospect of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington, also seriously injured, was left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him being paralyzed, unable to walk or talk. Many of the scoffers said, “We told them so.” “Crazy men and their crazy dreams.” “It’s foolish to chase wild visions.” Everyone seemed to have negative comments to make and felt that the project should be stopped since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap, Washington’s mind was still as sharp as ever and he maintained a burning desire to complete the bridge, never becoming discouraged.

He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too discouraged to tackle the task without him. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart, enabling him to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. He was limited to only moving one finger so he decided to make the best use of it. By moving his finger, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

Touching his wife’s arm with that finger, he indicated to her to call the engineers again and using that same method of tapping her arm he communicated to the engineers what they needed to do. It seemed foolish, but the project was again under way.

For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife’s arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man’s indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their teamwork, and to their faith in a man who was considered by half the world to be mad. It stands, too, as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who, for 13 long years, patiently decoded the messages of her husband, instructing the engineers what to do next.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a positive attitude that overcame a terrible physical handicap, achieving a seemingly impossible goal.

Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that no matter what the odds are, God will give us strength to accomplish all that it is His will to do.

Each can say with confidence, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me” [Philippians 4:13]. Never forget that God is our strength at all times and in all circumstances.

Like Paul, there can be no higher goal than living out our own unique talents to the best of our ability in service to those whom Christ loved. We are called to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14), and as we do so, whether it is visible or not, we are making great progress.

Children’s Story – Kindness Repaid

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It was in a small town in England and at the time before there were cars, and people traveled using horses and carriages. The old barn keeper was just loosening the harness on the tired horses when he was startled by Jack, a young sailor. “Excuse me, sir. May I sleep in your barn tonight?” he asked. Startled by the voice, the old man turned around to see who it was who was talking to him. He was just bringing in some horses to bed them down for the night out of the freezing gusts of wind that were beating upon him.

The young sailor quietly stood there, tired and cold, waiting for an answer to his request. Suddenly the old barn keeper gruffly said, “No, I do not want anybody like you staying in my barn. You had better keep right on moving or you will be in big trouble.”

The young man replied, “But sir! I am honest and I would not take anything that was not mine, even if I were without shoes.”

But the old barn keeper would not listen. He hollered back, “I don’t trust you any further than I can see you! Now get out of here or else!”

Jack, sadly turned away wondering where he would go next. All of the places he had tried before had turned him away with the same kind of harshness. He felt dejected; nobody wanted to help him. They considered him a beggar, so sadly he turned away and walked back out into the darkness. Suddenly he felt a light tap on his shoulder. It was the young boy who had been helping the old barn keeper in the stable. The boy quietly said, “Wait!” Then he whispered, “I think I know where you can get help. Just go down this road to the first little shop you come to. Mrs. Smith is a widow, but I’m sure she will let you sleep in her woodshed. She is very kind and is always willing to help those who need it.”

Oh what warmth filled Jack’s heart as he replied to the young boy, “Thank you very much!” There was at least somebody who cared enough to help someone in need. Jack had come into port only two days before and when he reached the shore, somebody had robbed him of all that he had. Now he had to beg his way to London. Every time someone refused to give him food or shelter, it hurt him deeply.

Now, Jack’s heart was filled with hope. He quickly reached the shop, but the door was locked. Oh no, he thought. But Jack remembered the stable boy told him that she never turned anybody away. So he gently knocked on the door. The door opened and the lady on the other side said, “Good evening. Were you looking for me?”

Jack quickly answered, “Are you Mrs. Smith? I was told that you might let me sleep in your woodshed.” The door opened wide and she said, “Come in! You look as though you are nearly frozen. I don’t have much to share tonight, but won’t you join me for dinner? I was just sitting down to eat.”

As Jack shared this simple meal in a warm room with the widow, he told her about everything that had happened to him. He even told her about how he had narrowly escaped becoming shipwrecked himself. Mrs. Smith replied, “Well, Mr. Willis, how thankful you must be that God, in His providence, has spared you until this very moment. But remember that He who has saved your life at sea can also save your soul. The Lord has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of His people. Have you asked the Lord to have mercy on you?”

After giving thanks to the Lord for the meal, the widow spread some clean, dry straw in a corner of her woodshed. Jack lay down with a thankful heart and slept soundly all night. The next morning when he awoke he straightened his rumpled clothes as best he could. He then went to thank the kind woman for letting him stay the night and he would go on his way. But, to his surprise, the kind woman had prepared for him a warm breakfast. When they were finished, she also gave him a small sum of money to help him travel farther. As he left her house, she prayed for the Lord’s blessing to follow him.

Ten years went by and no one remembered what had happened on that cold windy night except one person.

The widow had grown older and now used a cane to help her walk, but she still had a heart filled with love for helping others. Even though she was not rich, she shared what she had.

One morning she received a very important looking envelope. She opened it and read it: “Dear Mrs. Smith, you are invited to come to London tomorrow. I have a message for you. But I want to give you this message in person. Please meet me at 11 a.m. at the Red Lion Inn. Thank you.”

Mrs. Smith had never been away from her own little town and some of her friends were very concerned. She was a bit afraid to go on such a long journey but she was willing to believe the best in everyone. She trusted that God in His providence would protect her from all harm.

So the following morning she took a coach to London and arrived at the great Red Lion Inn. Before she could become worried, two respectable-looking men greeted her and led her to a room. There in the room she was very surprised to hear somebody say, “Well, how are you doing? Don’t you remember me?”

She looked carefully at the stranger. “No, sir, I don’t believe I know you.” The reply came, “I am Jack Willis. Remember the begging sailor you took into your home about ten years ago? I had no money and no friends in a strange town, but you gave me food and a place to sleep that cold, wintry night and I have never forgotten your kindness. I am now captain of a large ship and I wish to give you something in return.” Turning to the other man, Jack continued, “This is Mr. Bates. He is a lawyer whom I have asked to pay you a sum of money each year at this time. This is to show something of my thankfulness to you for your kindness. But, especially, I want you to know that your warning words were used by God to speak to my heart. The Lord used your words and example to convict me of my sin. He has also led me to the only Source of salvation for such a sinner as I am—to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Mrs. Smith’s heart was filled with wonder and burst into tears as she was overwhelmed by all that she had heard. Giving thanks to God for His rich blessings and care for Jack in both body and soul, she returned to her own home. How thankful she was that the Lord had provided also for her! She now had enough money to help even more needy ones. For the rest of her days, whenever she listened to someone tell of their troubles, she always thought of God’s wonderful providence and grace as witnessed in the life of Jack Willis.

How does this story parallel with the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–35?

Children’s Story – God’s Little Lamp

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Because Mother and Dad had gone to a distant city on business, Aunt Jane had come to spend the night with Randy.

Now it was time for bed. Randy took his bath. Then he decided to surprise Aunt Jane, so he put on the pajamas she had given him for Christmas.

Aunt Jane was very pleased.

“How about a story?” she asked. Aunt Jane was a very good storyteller.

“Two?” Randy came back.

And two it was.

“Now your prayer,” Aunt Jane said when she had finished telling the stories.

Randy knelt beside his bed and began to pray,

 

“Jesus, tender shepherd, hear me

Bless Thy little lamb tonight.

Through the darkness be Thou near me

Keep me safe ‘til morning light.

 

“All this day Thy hand has led me

And I thank Thee for Thy care …

Thou hast warmed me, clothed me, fed me.

Listen to my evening prayer.

 

“Let my sins be all forgiven

Bless the friends I love so well—

Take us all at last to heaven

Happy there with Thee to dwell.”

 

Aunt Jane was smiling when he was through. Randy wondered why. Then she told him.

“Randy, when I was a little girl, I prayed that very same prayer. But for years I prayed it a wee bit differently. When Mother taught it to me, I thought she said, ‘Bless Thy little lamp tonight.’ You see, I had a small kerosene lamp in my bedroom. I loved the lamp very much. So, it seemed quite all right to ask God to bless it.

“One night Mother realized I was saying lamp not lamb. She told me I should say lamb, because I was God’s little lamb.

“But when I grew older, I came to believe my prayer wasn’t too wrong at that.”

“How come?” Randy asked.

“Well,” Aunt Jane answered, “All who love Jesus are meant to be lamps for Him. So He needs to bless His lamps, too. See?”

Randy nodded. And, sometimes in the nights that followed, he would pray, “Bless Thy little lamp tonight.” When he did, he always remembered what Aunt Jane had told him.

If Jesus is a Shepherd, who are His lambs? If Jesus is the Light of the world, how can we be His lamps? Where should our light shine?

“Ye are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16).

Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for caring for us as a shepherd does for his sheep. We thank You for giving Your light so we can shine as lamps for You. Help us to give a bright light wherever we go. In Thy name. Amen.

Happy Moments With God, Margaret J. Anderson, 27, 28.

Children’s Story – The Influence of a Little Child

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A young man loved the Lord so much that when he grew up he decided to become a minister of the gospel. He fell in love with a beautiful young woman whom he soon married, and together they ministered to many people. After some time they decided to have a family, and the Lord blessed them with a handsome little boy whom they named John. Oh, how they loved their little boy. They did all they could to teach him about Jesus and bring him up in just such a way that he would also love the Lord as much as they did.

As little John grew up he had other ideas for his life. He became thoughtless, not wanting to hear anymore about Jesus or his parents’ religion. Finally, against his father’s wishes, he left his home. Joining the crew of a ship with a desire to travel around the world, he set off on his adventure.

The ship on which he worked had docked at some beautiful islands where they were to stay for several days. On one of the leisure days John and several of his sailor friends went ashore, returning to the ship with one of the little native boys they had met. They were fascinated with this little boy who was proficient in playing an instrument in a way they had never seen or heard before and wanted to hear more.

The boy played quite a concert for the sailors before asking to be taken to shore again, but the sailors did not want to take him back just yet because they enjoyed his music so much and wanted him to play some more.

Finally the young boy began to cry. He told them that a Christian missionary had come to their village and he had learned about Jesus Christ and that the missionary was coming back again that day at a certain time to tell the people more about Him. The little boy pleaded with them to take him ashore so he would not miss hearing about Jesus.

The sailors were quite amazed and touched by the little boy’s appeals to be taken back so they put him in a boat and rowed him back to the shore. John was particularly touched by this little boy who wanted to hear about this same Jesus he had been taught about as a child by his godly parents and whom he had turned his back on, running away from home to be a sailor. He thought, “Here I am, a son of a minister, knowing far more about Jesus Christ than this poor little boy, and yet not caring about Him! This little fellow is now earnestly listening to the Word of Life and here I am neglecting it.”

That night as John climbed into his bed he wept over his sins of neglecting Jesus and his family and he earnestly prayed for forgiveness. His prayer was answered and that night, because of the witness of the little, native boy, he gave his heart to Jesus and became a child of God. His parents were filled with joy over the news. Their son, who had been dead, was alive again. He, who had been lost, was now found. What a joyous family to be reunited in Jesus.

Many years ago, another young man left his home and his father to set off on his own adventure, leaving a grieving father.

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:11–24.

There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents and returns to the Father’s house (Luke 15:7).