Kenneth’s sat on the verandah steps, patting his pet dog, and thinking sadly that she was the only real pal he had in the town. Since moving from the big city he had never really made friends with any of the boys at school.
Presently some boys his own age hurried down the street and called to him as they ran. Soon after another boy, named Marvin, passed by and seeing Kenneth sitting on the steps called out, “Hello, Ken! why do you stay home on a swell day like this? You should be going out to the country too.”
Ken made no answer, but he walked down to the gate where Marvin was now standing. “Oh, how I’d like to have him for a friend,” Ken thought, for Marvin was such a popular as well as clever boy.
“Why don’t you come with us? Four of us boys are going out to Cairn Creek for the day — it’ll be fun.”
“I’ll run in and ask Mother,” he said excitedly, and to his joy the answer was “Yes.” While she was hurriedly making him a lunch she said, “Kenneth, I know that you are anxious to have friends here, but don’t forget the ‘Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ Don’t do anything to displease Him.”
After quite a walk they met the other three boys, who seemed surprised to see Ken. However, as he came with Marvin they said nothing. The morning passed quickly and happily and about lunch time one of the boys said, “It’s time we made that raid.”
“Let’s send Ken,” said Ray and all agreed. So Ken was told to go to Farmer Parke’s field and get twelve ears of corn. Ken looked from one to the other. “Did he say we could have the corn?” he asked.
“Did he say we could have it? How can he say when he doesn’t know?”
“Do you think that Farmer Parkes would give away anything?” questioned another. “You just go and help yourself.”
“Not me,” said Ken decidedly. “You needn’t be afraid. We’ll watch out for you.”
Ken was silent for a moment. He belonged to the Lord Jesus and he knew that stealing was very displeasing to Him—and yet he did want boyfriends too. But Jesus was the best Friend he could ever have and so he shut his eyes and whispered, “Lord Jesus, help me.”
“I won’t go,” he said decidedly; “it’s stealing, and I won’t steal for anyone. I belong to Jesus.”
“Don’t be silly,” said Marvin, “the corn will never be missed.”
Ken shook his head. “The corn may seem nothing to you, but it’s hard work for Mr. Parkes, and corn is the farmer’s money. I wouldn’t take his money, would you?”
Ken picked up his lunch and walked to the road. He felt sad at losing his new chums, but then he thought of Jesus the “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother”—He wouldn’t desert him!
He hadn’t gone far when he heard someone running; “Wait a minute, Ken,” called Marvin.
“Say, Ken, what you say is right,” he puffed. “I never thought of it like that—it’s such a lark to take corn or apples—but I don’t want to steal.”
Marvin and Ken became the best of friends—but better than that Marvin soon learned to trust Jesus as his Saviour and together the two boys sought to please Him.
Best of all, how pleased the Lord must have been to see this faithfulness in His young disciple! And what a reward he got in winning Marvin not only as his chum but also to the Lord.
May this story speak to you and me, dear young friends, and let us remember always,
ML 05/28/1961