Mildred Hansen and her mother know there is a God. They know that God is, and that He stands ready to honor His promise, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15). Not only do they know that God is there on duty, but they have learned how much He cares for small children. It all happened on a western ranch when Mildred was only three years old.
The setting was a sturdy ranch house surrounded by grassy lawns and trees and enclosed by a white picket fence. A lane ran alongside the fence on one side leading to the barns and corrals behind. The yard was a perfect place to play. One beautiful day Mother let Mildred go outdoors in the afternoon. She was able to watch her playing through the open kitchen window. She thought she would be safe there. What she did not know was that someone had left a small gate ajar in the fence along the lane. She also did not know that her husband, who had been gone for two days with his cowboys, was approaching the lane from the range with a herd of horses, wild and mean and running like a wolf pack.
Mother heard the rumbling, a muffled thunder that actually shook the house. Running to the window she saw them filling the roadway, charging in a cloud of dust down upon — Mildred! Yes, Mildred had found the open gate and was now sitting in the dusty lane. Father was behind the herd, unable to see her or know the almost certain death he was herding upon his small daughter.
“Oh, God, have mercy! Lord, save her!” the anguished mother cried. There was only time for the cry. She ran out screaming and waving her arms at the men.
In only a few moments the herd of horses had passed over. The stricken parents found Mildred... still sitting, caked with dirt from head to toe, but very much alive and crying loudly. Mildred was not hurt at all! Only God could have done it, and the parents realized that fact immediately. A strong angel? Or did God change the excitable, wild nature of those horses long enough to cause each one to leap neatly over Mildred? He certainly made them, and He could control them. Yes, God cares for children, and He cares for you, too.
Do you want to know how much He loves you? He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world especially to save you from Satan. Satan has lured you to sin many times, for you were born with a nature that loves to sin. “All have sinned, and come short.” Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” we read in Ezekiel 18:44Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4). But “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15). He had to die — He had to take your punishment in order to save you. Have you taken His salvation offered to those who receive Him?
ML-10/13/1985