Jim was just eight years old, and lived with his parents on the edge of a lovely wood. He awoke in the morning to the singing of the birds, and dropped off to sleep at night amid the songs and chirps of a multitude of little creatures who filled the nocturnal hours with notes of joy and praise.
One day, during summer vacation, Jim needed a knife to cut himself a nice stick to make a bow and arrow, or something. He went to his mother and asked her if she would lend him her best kitchen knife.
“What do you want it for, Jim?” she asked.
“To cut a good, strong stick out of the wood,” he replied. “And, Mother, I’ll promise to take care of it and bring it back to you.”
“Mind you do,” said Mother, “or I’ll have to punish you.”
Off Jim went quite gaily, and found just the stick he wanted. But when, sometime later Jim appeared at the cottage door, it was apparent that he had been crying, and mother was alarmed.
“Whatever has happened? Have you cut yourself, Jim?” she asked.
“No, Mother,” said Jim; “but I lost the knife, and I felt so bad. I knew you would punish me. And then I thought; God can see everything, He knows where that knife is, and so I knelt down in the woods and I said, “Please, dear Lord, get me back the knife as it’s Mother’s good kitchen knife, and if I can’t find it she will punish me.
“I got up and went back a little way, and there it was among the dry leaves. So here it is, Mother. I knew God could give it back to me.”
Jim realized that nothing is too small to bring before the Lord, and his faith was rewarded. Has He not said: “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God; the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Luke 12:6,76Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6‑7).)
ML-08/06/1978