ONCE, having to stay for a few days in the country, I rented a room in a farmhouse. After being shown to my room, I was asked whether I preferred meals alone or with the family. I said that I would rather eat with the family and, it being just noontime, I was directed to the kitchen where the family—including the hired men and women—were seated around the big table.
The food was put on the table, and now a surprise was awaiting me. All rose from their seats, and the father spoke with an earnest voice: "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfied the desire of every living thing. O God, our Father, bless this food, for Jesus' sake. Amen."
Everyone, even the small children, listened reverently with folded hands. I had stood with the rest for politeness, but I must confess that my knees trembled. It was all so strange to me.
After the meal all stood up again, folded their hands as before, and the father prayed: "Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever," and then each went to his work and the children went back to school.
I sat down to think about it, when the small boy of four years old came to me and said confidentially to me, "Tell me something about the Lord Jesus!"
I was embarrassed. Tell me about the Lord Jesus? About Him whose name I scarcely knew? How could I begin? But I must say something, as the little one gave me no rest, so I began to speak of sheep and goats, of horses and cows. That was not satisfactory at all! The child insisted that I tell something about the Lord Jesus, and he pressed me so that I had to answer, "Well, my boy, I know nothing to tell you about that!"
"What! You don't know anything about the Savior? And you so big! Then you won't go to heaven!"
Not go to heaven? That was a new thought! I went out and did not return to the house until late, to escape unwelcome questions.
At about nine o'clock in the evening I went back. As I expected the evening meal was over, but they had saved my supper for me. I began to eat, but there appeared my little friend who carefully watched my every movement. Looking disapprovingly at me, he said, "First pray, then eat!"
I could not pray, so the little one took his stand beside me, folded his hands and said, "'Lord Jesus, bless what Thou hast provided for us. Amen.' That is how you must pray."
He was then called away to be put to bed, but I could hardly swallow a bite of food.
The little fellow had scarcely gone when the whole household entered the room for evening prayers. A hymn was first sung, then they read from the Bible. Finally all kneeled down, including myself, and the farmer prayed. He asked God for many things in such a sincere, confident manner, as a child would speak to its father, yet so full of reverence.
All was so new and wonderful to me. I did not know how I felt. I hardly dared to lift my eyes, yet I felt the family was right. Later, in my room, I prayed for the first time in reality. My prayer was short: "O God, Thou God of this house, be my God also!"
The days which followed passed about as the first. When I asked how it was there was such peace in their home, they answered that it was because they had peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Gradually the light shone within me. I began to see that I was a poor lost sinner, on the way to everlasting judgment. The more I realized this, the more my desire grew for a Savior who could forgive all my sins and make me as the people around me. God saw my desire and heard my prayers.
Since that time I have known and loved Him as my Savior, known that He bore all my sins, and I long to go to be with Him in His home.