I WOULD like to tell you how a little girl once got over a great fright, because she feared God, and trusted that He would take care of her. One day she went to visit her aunt in the country, and while there she had to sleep in a room by herself. She did not particularly like being alone at night, for at home she always slept with her sister.
One night she awoke suddenly, and saw something white at the foot of her bed. Its head, which she thought she saw as plainly as could be, was turned a little to one side, and was not looking at her.
“It’s a ghost; I’m sure it is! she exclaimed, and she hurriedly pulled the bedclothes over her head.
Presently she said to herself, “Well, what if there is a ghost here; isn’t God here too? And doesn’t the Bible say that nothing can harm those who trust in Him?” Then she prayed to the Lord and asked Him to take care of her. This gave her courage, and she resolved to take another look at the white thing. It did look very much like a living thing of some kind. “Well if it is,” she thought to herself, “I’ll speak to it"; so she cried out, “Who’s there?” But the figure did not stir nor answer. There it stood as still and white as ever.
“My father says there are no ghosts,” she said to herself. “And if there are, what harm is it likely they want to do to me?” I’ll just put my trust in God, and He can take care of me.”
This thought gave her courage, and made her feel more comfortable. Still there stood the figure.
“I will know who or what you are,” said the little girl. “Mother says frights are worse in people’s fancies than anywhere else.”
Then she jumped out of bed, and marched straight up to the figure. How many children would have done that? I am afraid some grown people would hardly have had the courage to do so. But this little girl went straight up to it. And what do you suppose it was after all? Why, only the moonlight shining through the curtains on the wall.
“How much it did look like a head, with eyes, nose, and mouth,” and then she jumped into bed again. For a while she lay and looked at it. But it only looked like the moon shining now, and no ghost; and she wondered how she could have been so deceived. And that, I dare say, is as much as ghosts ever are — only maginations... She kept her eye on the soft silver light till she fell into a sweet sleep again.
What courage the thought of God’s presence gave to this little girl. We hope the story of her simple faith and trust may encourage others to trust Him who is the refuge and strength of all them that fear Him. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psa. 46:11<<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1).
ML-09/19/1971