A BLACKSMITH’S widow, who was left with the care of a crippled daughter, their only child, was in a wonderful way made to prove the fact that our God is the “living God.” She was not strong herself, and unable to do heavy work. Besides, her child needed her constant attention, so she was forced to stay at home, where the little employment, such as sewing, which she got to do, was not sufficient to keep them, and so one thing and another was disposed of to provide bread. At last all the tools and stock of the blacksmith’s shop had been sold, save an old grindstone, which stood in the fence corner the weeds almost covering it up. In vain had she tried to sell it — no one seemed to want it.
One evening a climax was reached. The money received for some sewing was all gone — of bread and flour there was none. What would they have for breakfast? That was indeed the question. But Mother knew the Lord, and as their custom was, they read their chapter which was Luke 3 for that evening. “Command this stone that it be made bread,” said the devil there to our blessed Lord. But that dependent Man would not take Himself, or His need, out of His Father’s hand.
As the incident was read the little girl asked, “Mother, couldn’t God have turned the stones into bread?”
“Yes, my dear, and He can do the same for us if for His glory and our good.” After a word of prayer they retired for the night.
In the early morning they were awakened by a loud knocking at the door. On opening it, a farmer stood there, and with a cheery, “Good-morning,” he asked, “Do you want to sell that old grindstone?”
“Yes,” was the eager reply.
“All right,” said the man, “it’s just what I want. I’ll give you five dollars for it.”
The bargain being made, he gave her the money, took the old grindstone and the poor woman with tears of joy went back to her crippled child, saying: “He did it! He did it! God turned the stone into bread!” He is still “The Lord who sees and prides.”
ML-09/16/1962