“Jean!” called Mrs. Wright. “Put your violin away now. You must go to bed, dear.”
Jean gasped as she pulled her violin from her chin. It was more than three hours earlier than she usually went to bed. “Why, mother!” she said, “Go to bed now, it is awfully early!”
“I know, dear, but you look tired, and I want you to go to bed early tonight.”
“But, mother, I don’t feel tired, and I never go to bed this early. Besides, I promised Rosemary and Gladys to go to Young People’s Meeting with them tonight.”
“No, Jean. I want you to go to bed early, and get a good rest tonight. You have a busy day before you tomorrow.”
Jean stuck her violin into its case and slammed the lid down. Then she stamped her way upstairs.
“Nobody else’s mother is half so strict,” she thought. “Why, Mother is really mean tonight.” By the time she was ready for bed, she was crying bitterly. When mother came up to wish her “Good night,” she said, “I am sorry, darling; don’t feel sad, you will be glad tomorrow morning that I sent you to bed early tonight.”
Next thing Jean knew, someone was shaking her gently. She felt so cozy and snug that she didn’t want to wake up, but she slowly opened her eyes. Mother was standing there, looking very happy.
“Did you have a good nap, dear?”
She said kindly. “Get dressed quickly, and come downstairs. I have a big surprise for you.”
“What’s got into Mother now?” thought Jean. “Why, it’s still night.”
Then she heard a voice downstairs —a voice she loved dearly, and had not heard for a long time. She dressed quickly, and soon she was downstairs in the arms of her father who had been away so long.
“Oh, Dad, are you really home from the war?” she sobbed, all excited. “I didn’t know you were coming home. Oh Mother, you’re wonderful.”
Mrs. Wright smiled. She had known all along that her husband was to arrive at midnight. But she wanted Jean to be rested so she could really enjoy the surprise of her father’s homecoming.
Jean’s mother reminds me of the Lord Jesus. He knows what is good for us, for “The Lord is good to all.” Psa. 145:99The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalm 145:9). How often when things seem against us, He is planning a happy surprise, some rich blessing for which we will thank and praise Him. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:99But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9). Like Jean’s mother, sometimes He lays us aside to rest awhile in order that we might enjoy our Father’s love the more.
Trust and obey;
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey.
ML 12/05/1965