Haskell Elementary School was brand new, along with a big, new playground. The leaders of the community decided the new playground would be a good place to hold their yearly Community Days. The schoolchildren watched eagerly every day as the workmen set up the different rides and other activities.
The ride nine-year-old Mary was most interested in looked like a small bus that ran on a narrow, circular track. The windows of the bus were all framed, but there was no glass in them. That would allow the children to call and wave to their friends, as the bus went around the track. It looked like fun and she was excited!
Finally Community Days arrived. Many people were standing in line, waiting to get on the bus. There were no seats in the bus, so the people in charge were telling the riders where to stand. The bus was jammed with people all crowded together.
As Mary finally got to the front of the line for the bus ride, there was one spot left open. But just as she was about to get on the bus, a boy who had been standing behind her scooted in front of her and took that last spot!
Mary was very disappointed and angry with that boy. However, she decided just to stay standing there so she would be the first one in line to get on the bus for the next ride.
But there was no next ride.
As the bus came back and pulled to a stop, it tipped over on its side, and all the people inside fell on top of each other! What screaming and crying! Many of the people who had their arms out the windows had broken bones and other injuries. Now Mary was very thankful that she hadn’t been able to get on the bus.
Mary thought of two Bible verses her mother had taught her: “The angel of the Lord [encamps] round about them that fear Him, and [delivers] them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the [person] that [trusts] in Him” (Psalm 34:7-87The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (Psalm 34:7‑8)). Those verses were a real help for Mary. She could understand that the Lord had purposely kept her from getting on that bus, and now she could thank Him for protecting her.
Boys and girls, are you trusting the Lord Jesus? He loves you and will look after you every day of your life, if you are trusting Him as your Saviour. Nothing will happen “by chance.” Verse 1 of that same psalm will be true of you too: “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:11<<A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.>> I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1)).
Can you remember a disappointment in your life that the Lord turned into good?
ML-08/17/2014