Saturday, December 18, 2021

A Christmas Miracle on the Frontier

Please enjoy this story that I share each year....

Amy Lane Photography 



A Christmas Miracle on the Frontier

     I remember a day one winter that stands out like a boulder in my life. The weather was unusually cold; our salary had not been regularly paid and it did not meet our needs when it was.
My husband was away much of the time, traveling from one district to another. Our boys were well, but my little Ruth was ailing and at best none of us were decently clothed. I patched and re -patched, with spirits sinking to the lowest ebb. The water gave out in the well and the wind blew through the cracks in the floor.

     The people in the parish were kind, and generous too, but the settlement was new and each family was struggling for itself. Little by little, at the time I needed it most, my faith began to waver.
Early in life I was taught to take God at His word, and I thought my lesson was well learned. I had lived upon the promises in dark times until I knew, as David did, who was my Fortress and my Deliverer. Now a daily prayer for forgiveness was all that I could offer. 

     My husband’s overcoat was hardly thick enough for October, and he was often obliged to ride miles to attend some meeting or funeral.  Christmas was coming; the children always expected their presents. I remember the ice was thick and smooth and the boys were each craving a pair of skates. Ruth, in some unaccountable way, had taken a fancy that the dolls I had made were no longer suitable; she wanted a nice large one, and insisted on praying for it.

     I knew it was impossible, but, oh! how I wanted to give each child his present. It seemed as if God had deserted us. But I did not tell my husband all this. He worked so earnestly and heartily, I supposed him to be as hopeful as ever. I kept the sitting room cheerful with an open fire, and I tried to serve our scanty meals as invitingly as I could.

     That morning before Christmas, James was called to see a sick man. I put up a piece of bread for his lunch–it was the best I could do–wrapped my plaid shawl around his neck and then tried to whisper a promise as I often had, but the words died away upon my lips. I let him go without it.  That was a dark, hopeless day. I coaxed the children to bed early, for I could not bear their talk. When Ruth went, I listened for her prayer. She asked for the last time most explicitly for her doll and for skates for her brothers. Her bright face looked so lovely when she whispered to me, “You know I think they’ll be here early tomorrow morning, Mama” that I thought I could move Heaven and earth to save her from disappointment. I sat down alone and gave way to the most bitter tears.

     Before long James returned, chilled and exhausted. He drew off his boots. The thin stockings clipped off with them and his feet were red with cold. “I wouldn’t treat a dog that way; let alone a faithful servant,” I said. Then as I glanced up and saw the hard lines in his face and the look of despair, it flashed across me that James had let go too.

     I brought him a cup of tea, feeling sick and dizzy at the very thought. He took my hand and we sat for an hour without a word. I wanted to die and meet God and tell Him His promise wasn’t true–my soul was so full of rebellious despair.

     There came a sound of bells, a quick step and a loud knock at the door. James sprang to open it. There stood Deacon White. “A box came by express just before dark. I brought it around as soon as I could get away. Reckoned it might be for Christmas. ‘At any rate’ I said, ‘they shall have it tonight.’ Here is a turkey my wife asked me to fetch along and these other things I believe belong to you.”
There were a basket of potatoes, and a bag of flour. Talking all the time, he hurried in the box and then with a hearty good night, he rode away.

     Still without speaking, James found a chisel and opened the box. He drew out first a thick red blanket and we saw that beneath it, the box was full of clothing. It seemed at that moment as if Christ fastened upon me a look of reproach. James sat down and covered his face with his hands. “I can’t touch them,” he explained. “I haven’t been true, just when God was trying me to see if I could hold out. Do you think I could not see how you were suffering? And I had no word of comfort to offer. I know now how to preach the awfulness of turning away from God.”

     “James,” I said, clinging to him, “don’t take it to heart like this. I am to blame. I ought to have helped you. We will ask Him together to forgive us.”  We poured out words of praise–Bible words, for nothing else could express our thanksgiving.  It was eleven o’ clock; the fire was low and there was the great box with nothing touched but the warm blanket we needed. We piled on some fresh logs, lighted two candles and began to examine our treasures.

     We drew out an overcoat. I made James try it on–just the right size–and I danced around him, for all my lightheartedness had returned. There was a cloak and he insisted on seeing me in it. My spirits always infected him and we both laughed like foolish children.

     There was a warm suit of clothes also and three pairs of woolen hose. There were a dress for me and yards of flannel, a pair of arctic overshoes for each of us and in mine a slip of paper. I have it now and mean to hand it down to my children. It was Jacob’s blessing to Asher: “Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days so shall thy strength be.”

     In the gloves, evidently for James, the same dear hand had written: “I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”  It was a wonderful box and packed with thoughtful care. There were a suit of clothes for each of the boys and a little red gown for Ruth. There were mittens, scarf, and hood, and down in the center–a box. We opened it and there was a great wax doll!! I burst into tears again and James wept with me for joy. It was too much! And then we both exclaimed again, for close behind it came two pairs of skates. There were books for us to read–some of them I had wished to see–stories for the children to read, aprons and underclothing, knots of ribbon, a gay little tidy, a lovely photograph, needles, buttons, and thread, a muff, and an envelope containing a ten dollar gold piece.

     At last we cried over everything we took up. It was past midnight and we were faint and exhausted even with happiness. I made a cup of tea, cut a fresh loaf of bread and James boiled some eggs. We drew up the table before the fire. How we enjoyed our supper! And then we sat talking over our life and how sure a help God always proved.

     You should have seen the children the next morning! The boys raised a shout at the sight of their skates–Ruth caught up her doll and hugged it tightly without a word; then she went into her room and knelt by her bed.  When she came back she whispered to me, “I knew it would be here Mama, but I wanted to thank God just the same, you know.”

     “Look here, Wife, see the difference!” We went to the window and there were the boys out of the house already and skating on the crust with all their might.  My husband and I both tried to return thanks to the church in the East that sent us the box–and have tried to return thanks unto God every day since. 

     Hard times have come again and again, but we have trusted in Him–dreading nothing so much as a doubt of His protecting care. “They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”


Reprinted by permission from Lizzie at A Dusty Frame.   She typed it up from a very old book, The Sword Book of Treasures by Dr. John R. Rice, published in 1946 gem. .


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May I suggest?
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39 comments:

  1. That is such a sweet story, it always touches my heart!

    Laura, you commented on my blog a week or so ago and I have been slow pokey to reply. I do have your blog in my sidebar. I put blogs I like to keep up with there and essentially use it instead of a blog reader subscription. I was not surprised when you said you were getting some traffic from my blog. I am not sure why but I know several of my blog readers also use my sidebar as their blog reader. I once streamlined it and got so many complaints.
    So, I hope it is OK with you.
    My readers seems to be likeminded homemakers.

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  2. Oh Laura, I gather from your introduction that this is a story you share each year around this time on your blog. I am so grateful you once again posted it because I loved reading every single word. It brings back memories of a similar time in our own lives when God made it quite evident Who it was that was taking care of us! I needed this bit of "refresher course" this morning. Thank you so much, Dear Heart.

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  3. What a beautiful story! How much our God loves us even when we doubt Him. Thanks so much for sharing this story - it was a wonderful start to my day.

    Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family! :)

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  4. Oh,what a great story Laura, and so, so true. We are so blessed, we want for nothing this Christmas but happy hearts and prayers for peace on earth. xxDazee

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  5. Laura,
    What a heart touching story. It brought tears to my eyes,and thankfullness too. God is so good, and if we just remember through ALL times [good or bad], He will always be with us.
    I really have to remind myself of this wonderful lesson..
    thank you so much for sharing this lovely story.
    Merry Christmas.

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  6. You're welcome, Judy. I repost that story each year because I need to read it and remember!
    Have a wonderful time with your family this weekend.
    Laura

    Blessings to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

    Laura Lane
    Harvest Lane Cottage

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  7. Oh, my word! I think I may have read this last Christmas, but I declare, I needed to read it today! What a glorious account of God's faithfulness!! If only we would learn to trust Him! I know if I had lived while Jesus was here on earth, I would have been one of the ones He often had to turn to and say, "Oh, ye of little faith!" I am so ashamed at my lack of faith, because He has proven Himself faithful to me time after time after time. It is not only in the old books that I can see His faithfulness. It is right here, today, in my own life. I love Him so! Thank you for your faithfulness in sharing this wonderful story. May God bless you and your sweet family with a Merry Christmas!!!

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  8. Dear Dazee,
    A merry Christmas to you! I hope you get to spend it with people you love.
    Laura

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  9. I need to read it each year, too, Dianna. It helps to keep me focused on who is important.
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  10. I'm glad this encouraged you, Cheryl.
    Blessings,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  11. Hi Laura! Gosh, I haven't been on here much. Sorry about that. Christmas seems to be a very busy time for many! And boy has it been busy for us. I haven't been home hardly at all this entire month.

    This was such a great story. God is just so faithful and so, so amazing!

    I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, if I can't make it back on here before then.

    Hugs and Blessings,
    Amy

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  12. What a beautiful story! God always provides, doesn't He? He is always with us, loving us and watching over us.

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  13. We really depend on Him, Erin. He has provided for our family miraculously.
    Thanks for dropping by Harvest Lane Cottage.
    Happy Christmas!
    Laura

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  14. Hi Amy, I haven't had time to visit blog friends much either. Have a wonderful preparation week!
    God bless you all!
    Thankful that your son's safe with you,
    Laura

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  15. Merry Christmas to you and yours. And thank you for sharing your lovely story.

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  16. This was a WONDERFUL story; I enjoyed reading it--the Lord is so faithful. Blessed Christmas to you, Laura :-).

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  17. I have never before read this story and I am so happy to have come to your site to read these strengthening words. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  18. You're welcomePatti. Happy Christmas!
    Laura

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  19. You're welcome Miss Nifty Thrifty. Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  20. You are so right Rebekah. May you have a blessed Christmas as well.
    Laura

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  21. Such a beautiful story! I really enjoyed reading this! Thanks so much for linking up at Thriving Thursday today!

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  22. I love this story..I love reading books by John Rice...Merry Christmas.

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  23. Thank you! I needed this so much!
    You are a precious and Godly woman and my heart cheers that God has brought us together through blogging, but really through our love for our Savior!
    Merry Christmas dear sweet friend!
    Love, Roxy

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  24. I've not heard of John Rice before. Do you know of the name of some of his books, Teresa?

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  25. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story at Good Morning Mondays. This is a great reminder to hold firm to God for all that we NEED in our lives and sometimes all that we WANT. What a blessing, thank you again.

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  26. Great story you shared here! Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  27. Hi Rhonda,
    I've visited some of the blogs on your sidebar, too. Thanks for including me. I'm honored.
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  28. So glad you share this. Love to read it each year. Christmas blessings to you and your family. Sharon D

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  29. I think this is such a helpful post! It’s really nice to see.

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    Replies
    1. I've shared it for years. I first read it during a very hard season.
      Thanks for talking back.
      Happy Christmas!

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Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor