SHOULD you like me to tell you a pretty story of God's loving thought for a poor widow? It will show you how much He notices every little thing about His beloved children, and how tender He is in His care over them. I think it will make you happy to hear it, as it did me; for we sometimes wonder if it is possible that the great God really does take thought for us in very little things, when we know He has such very great things to care for and think of.
On the top of a hill outside our village is a little cottage, where lives Widow K.
Early one Saturday morning she began thinking how she should manage for her Sunday's dinner: she would get a sheep's head and make some soup; but then, she thought, the soup would not be worth having without a turnip boiled down in it, and this she had not got. Well, she told her heavenly Father that she trusted Him to care for her in all things through the day, and then, with a quiet mind, went about her work. But many times that morning the turnip kept coming into her thoughts, for she could not at all see how to get one.
The men were coming back to their work at the stone quarry hard by, after their midday rest, when Mrs. K. came out of her cottage to throw some bits to her fowls. Just at the low garden gate she saw one of the workmen coming towards her, and there under his arm was “as beautiful a turnip as you could wish to see."
“Do you happen to want such a thing as a turnip, missus? “said the man, balancing it on his hand.
“It is the very thing I do want," she answered.
“Then here it is for you," said the man. "Farmer B. gives me one now and again, and I thought I would wash and trim this one and bring it up to you this morning"; and, putting it into her hand, he passed on to his work.
Mrs. K. turned again into the little cottage, and laid the turnip down on the table with a very full heart. It was so plain that God had thought of her in this little trouble.
Children, do you know God as your Father, as this dear widow does? Have you the privilege of bringing Him your little troubles day by day? And when you pray do you really believe that He hears you? He may not always take you out of your 'difficulties as quickly as He did Mrs. K. in the matter of the turnip, but it is none the less true that He has heard your prayer. Now, as I say good-bye, I will give you a very sweet little verse to learn: "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you."
D. & A. C.