Thursday, December 12, 2013

A Christmas Miracle on the Frontier by 'A Pastor's Wife'

Please enjoy this story that I share each year....
"A Thrilling Christmas Miracle on the Frontier by 'A Pastor’s Wife'”
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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28 comments:

  1. A heart warming reminder... thanks for sharing!

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  2. It's good to remember, Wendi. I hope your next days and nights are peaceful ones.
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  3. Laura just loved reading this - you always give us all something special to read and think about. Thank you so much. Big hugs to you and your lovely family
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  4. Wow what a story...God always comes through. I love John Rice books. We have some of His books they are a gem.

    Blessing to your home this Christmas

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  5. Thank you Jackie, I wish the same for you and your family.
    Laura

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  6. My goodness what a wonderful, wonderful story! :)

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  7. Thank you so much!!
    I loved this story it made me so happy and helps me to always listen to what the Lord might be asking of me, to be used as an answer to someones prayer!
    Love, Roxy

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  8. Hi Roxy,
    I am so glad you enjoyed it. It blessed me when I first read it. God has provided for our family that way.

    Blessings,

    Laura

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  9. Hi Deb,
    I'm such a do it early person when it comes to Christmas preparations. Since I'm so behind this year, I needed to remind myself and anyone like me, that there is indeed time for all the important things.
    I'm honored that you took time to talk back. :)
    I'll be over for a visit in a few minutes.
    Blessings to you!
    Laura

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  10. Hi Dorothy,
    I hope you and your man are well. Christmas decorating is well under way and a few cookies have been baked as well.
    Have a terrific weekend.
    Laura

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  11. What a great story! Thanks for sharing at TTF!

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  12. Dear Linda,
    My pastor liked the story so much, he referenced it in his sermon this morning. He had a similar experience as a child.
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  13. Merry Christmas, Laura! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  14. Hello Marci,
    I hope you have a marvelous holiday. Did you ever get back to Sandstone Gardens? I didn't. Believe it or not, I just started my Christmas shopping last week. Family crises and a bit of despondency just got in the way of preparing early this year. Oh well... ~smile~. It really doesn't take that long to bless our families.
    May God bless you with peace and hope and joy!
    Merry Christmas,
    Laura

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  15. Wow mom! that was a very touching story. Did that really happen? That told me that when we have just run dry of faith, we still need to believe. God will fill us up and overflowing again. He will give us joy in the sorrow. He will give Hope to the Hopeless. He always provides.
    Just believe in him and he will bless you beyond measure. He loves us.
    Love,your daughter
    Amy

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  16. Beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes and hope to my heart.

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  17. Dear Off Grid,
    I have lived in similar circumstances, so it really touched my heart, too.
    Blessings for a Christmas with Jesus,
    Laura

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  18. What an inspirational post! God always comes through, even when we doubt. What a wonderful reminder to keep the faith! Thanks so much for sharing! Now following!

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  19. Thank you so much for following Kathy, I am honored. God always comes through for us, too. We had an unexpected gift today. Bless God!

    I'll be over for a visit in a few minutes.
    Happy Christmas!
    Laura

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  20. Thank you so much for sharing on Tuesdays With a Twist. This needs to serve as a reminder to all of us that the Father is indeed to faithful to us, so must we be to Him. I love that a snippet from a verse that He gave me in a time of need was included in this story, Isaiah 41:10, and still one I go to during trials. I'm featuring your post this week.

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  21. Have a wonderful Christmas Joyce.





    Laura

    Lane

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  22. I remember reading this last year!
    What a blessed reminder once again of the old truth of God's faithfulness! Hope to see it again next year! grin!
    Wishing you a blessed New Year!

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  23. Hi Annie, You'll probably see it again. Our pastor read it on my blog this year and mentioned it in his sermon!

    Blessings,

    Laura

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  24. What a sweet story. Thank you for sharing it at the HomeAcre Hop; I hope you'll join us again this Thursday.

    Kathi at Oak Hill Homestead

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  25. Glad you liked it Kathi, happy new year!





    Laura

    Lane

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  26. Dear, Michelle,
    I read it first when I was in a very desperate situation. I found it encouraging. Blessings to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

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Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor