Willie was only fifteen years old, and had been a comfort to his mother who was a widow. But one day he disappeared—he had taken some of his things and run away! It was so unexpected, his mother was sad and wondered where lie had gone. Where could she find him?
Someone suggested going to the police, but for many years her trust had been in God—the God of the widow and fatherless. She knew she could count on Him, for God, she well knew, could easily bring her boy home again, and for this she prayed. So sure was she that the Lord would do so, that every time she went out the door was left open.
One evening when she was at a Bible reading, Willie walked in. He understood the open door quite well, for she always kept it locked. She must have left it for him, and he knew the open door mean the open heart!
When the Lord Jesus was here on earth. He said, “I am the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9). So there is still an open Door for boys and girls who have run away from God, and want to get home to Him, for the Jesus is the Door, open and ready to receive them.
When the widow came home she found her boy, and you can guess how happy she was, and Willie too!
He had run away to a neighboring port, and had tried in vain, day after day, to get some sea captain to take him on his ship to work his way to another country. One morning, very early, as he was wandering around the dock, a rough man knocked him down, took the money from his pockets, and went off with his suitcase. When Willie came to himself he found he had no money, no clothes, and no food, and so he decided to go home.
After a long day’s walk, exhausted and hungry, he reached his home, much ashamed and sorry for what he had done. The word that he had returned soon spread around, and friend, and neighbors came in to welcome, him. Tears of joy were shed, and hearts were glad and full of thanksgiving to God that their prayers had been answered and that Willie was home.
Come in, ere that door closes an.’ you are left to perish in your sin.
ML 12/23/1951