M—G— was a poor widow, who maintained herself and child by going out washing, or doing any kind of housework by which she could earn a few dollars.
One sad evening she sat down with her little boy to their last piece of bread, and there was no money left to purchase anything for breakfast the next morning. The boy, still hungry, asked tearfully what they would do the next day, as all the food was gone.
“Do not fear, Johnny,” said his mother, “God has not forgotten us, let us ask Him to send us some food.” They knelt together, mother and son, and placed their need before their Father in heaven, knowing that He who sent the ravens to feed the prophet of old could fully supply them with daily bread out of His boundless store.
The boy was soon asleep, but the mother’s heart prayed still as she sat busy with her needle. At length she retired to rest, fully assured that her prayer was heard, and that a gracious answer would assuredly come.
About daybreak she was aroused by a loud knocking at the door. On opening it she recognized the familiar face of a servant in the neighboring farmhouse.
“Mrs. B—’s maid is taken ill suddenly.” said she, “and she would be glad if you would milk her cows this morning.” M—gladly assented, and her heart went up to God in thankfulness as she hurried off to the farm.
When her work was done she was asked into the kitchen to breakfast. How delicious the savory ham and hot vegetables seemed to her. Still she could not eat, the thought of her hungry boy at home seemed to take away her appetite. Mrs. B— noticing this, asked the reason, and the truth came out. The widow told her with tearful eyes that Johnny was hungry at home and asked permission to take her breakfast home and share it with him.
“Eat your breakfast, my good woman,” said the farmer’s wife, “and I will give you some for the boy.”
M— ate her meal with a thankful heart, such a feast as she had not seen for many weeks, and then started home with a heavy basket which to her seemed very light.
Johnny’s eyes danced with delight when the cover was removed, and the treasures it contained were taken out one by one. Two large loaves of bread, a nice roll of fresh butter, a dozen eggs, a piece of cold boiled beef, a large bunch of radishes and all the spare corners filled up with vegetables and cakes.
“Now, my son,” said the widow, “remember this day as long as you live. Whatever your trouble is, go with it to the Lord, and He will help you in the way He sees best.”
The lad has followed his mother’s advice and is now a God-fearing man, the stay and support of his godly mother in her declining years.
ML 02/05/1922