During the depression years, the Lord allowed us to pass through some trying circumstances. We now can praise Him for them all, and see that He was teaching us many lessons. Through the difficulties we learned more of what a God is ours as well as what poor hearts of unbelief we have. We also learned what it is to call upon Him, and have Him answer us. When everything goes along smoothly we are not apt to know much of “fervent prayer,” but sometimes God sees it is needful to bring us through trying times, so that we might prove Him. We can now say that we have learned something of what God is through our difficulties and needs.
We well remember one period of time when my husband was out of work for two years. Work was not to be had, it seemed. Numerous times during those months we proved the care of our Father for us. Yes, He who feeds the birds, and clothes the lilies, provided for us in many different ways. Often He allowed our faith to be tested before the answer came, but He never failed us.
One of these experiences that stands out very vividly in my memory occurred on a Saturday night when we were down to the lowest point, with not a cent in the house, and nothing left to eat. It seemed as though, at last, our Father had forgotten us. My dear husband who is an industrious man, was much distressed, especially because of our six children who had gone to bed hungry. The hours that evening seemed long, but after telling our Father all about our circumstances, we retired.
At midnight a knock was heard on our door, and our first thought was that someone must be sick. You can imagine our astonishment, however, to find a Christian woman whom we knew, standing there with her arms full of food. She lived on a farm not far away, and had come at that hour of the night bringing milk, butter, bread and bacon to us. What feelings of praise and thankfulness to God arose in our hearts, and also reproach to ourselves for having ever any doubt of His loving care.
Needless to say, we asked this dear friend what brought her out at that hour of the night. She said she had gone to bed as usual, but could not go to sleep. It seemed to be pressed upon her that she should come down to us with something to eat. Finally she turned over, and decided to go to sleep, and to visit us in the morning, but it seemed as though some one said, “No, go tonight.” With that she got up, dressed, and came to our home with the food.
We know that many dear children of God have had striking experiences of His gracious care and provision for them, so that what is here recorded is nothing strange, but it and other examples of His care have been much blessed to our souls. Yes, our God and Father sees and knows our need; He loves and cares for us, and He does hear and answer prayer.