The boys in our story were homeless children. It seemed like no one cared about them. There are many such children in our cities, even today. Some of them might know who their mother is, but some don’t even know that. They have dropped out of school, have no real home, and are on their own. But there is Someone who cares very much for these children, just as He does for every child. That Person is God Himself, who made all of us.
One day, a man who loved God named Mr. Fegan saw one of these boys, named Willie, and he asked him, “Where do you sleep?”
“In the boxcars ... if we don’t get caught,” answered little Willie.
Soon after, Mr. Fegan went out one cold night in November to find the boys and bring them to his home.
The railroad yard had an eight-foot-high fence all around it. It was guarded by a watchdog and a watchman who did not hesitate to kick and slap the homeless boys and turn the watchdog loose on them whenever he found them in the yard. But on the night of our story, the watchman must have been having a nap in his nice, warm guardhouse.
Mr. Fegan brought a friendly policeman to the fence and whispered to him in the darkness, “If you don’t mind bending over, I’ll put my handkerchief on your coat so it won’t get dirty, put one foot on your back, and I’ll be over the fence in a jiffy. I’m looking for some boys who might be sleeping in empty boxcars.”
“No boys over there,” smiled the policeman, but he cooperated. “All right,” he said, “over you go!”
Mr. Fegan quietly moved down the dark rows of empty boxcars, stopping beside each one to listen for the boys. He climbed up into one of the boxcars where he could hear the heavy breathing of the sleeping boys, and sometimes a gasping breath as they shuddered with cold in their sleep.
Why not leave them there? Mr. Fegan had a warm bed at home that cold night, but at the moment it was empty because he cared about the well-being of these boys with no home. And the God of heaven cares about your well-being too. His care is not just a faraway pity or caring just enough to give you a little money and let you go on your own sinful way. God sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, down here to give you the right to become one of His children — to have a special place in His home in heaven, because He loves you and wants you there. Will you accept His loving care and offer of sins forgiven, or will you turn your back on Him and ask to be left alone?
Mr. Fegan gently wakened the nearest boy and, explaining that he was a friend who wanted to help them, led him to the fence and boosted him over into the arms of the friendly policeman. He was soon back with another, and they were followed by another 11 boys who lined up against
the fence.
“How did you get over the fence in the first place?” he wanted
to know.
“We didn’t get over; we got under,” said one boy, and he led him to a spot where part of two boards had been broken away, leaving a small opening through which a small boy could just wiggle his way in by lying flat on the ground.
Just as the railway company didn’t want to give the boys an easy way in or a place to rest, so this world treats people. It doesn’t give anyone anything good. It offers hard work for things that don’t last. But the Lord Jesus has paid a huge price so God can forgive your sins. And He offers you peace that lasts forever. If you accept His loving offer of salvation, you will find that the One who has forgiven your sins is ready to be your friend and care for you all the rest of your life. His promise is, “I will never leave [you], nor forsake [you]” (Hebrews 13:5).
Mr. Fegan took the boys to his special home for boys, where they were lovingly cared for. They were also trained in job skills so that they were able to find a job and live on their own. His heart full of love won the love of a
thousand boys.
Will you choose to struggle for the world’s short-lived pleasures, or will you come to the Lord Jesus and let Him choose your pleasures for you and care for your every need?
“In [God’s] presence is fullness of joy; at [God’s] right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
“In whom [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14).
Memory Verse: “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”Psalm 16:11
Messages of God’s Love 8/22/2021