Thursday, December 22, 2016

Hard Times Don't Take a Christmas Vacation

Hard times don't take a Christmas vacation. Illnesses, lost loved ones, job loss, a budget stretched so far that buying a gift or a special meal makes it snap, loneliness—all are all cold realities for many families.

Two ladies in our church have buried their husbands in the last two months. No matter how many friends and loved ones surround them, they will feel the deep longing for their dearests. Another friend had no money for gifts for the seven children in her home until God provided a miracle. Few of us have the means to give our families the gifts we wish we could give.

I know several people who really stretch their money to make ends meet. There's only so much elastic in a dollar bill you know. I've been testing that stretch capacity full-time for twelve years now.

Maybe you're like one of us. Perhaps you have another problem. Most likely you know someone who's struggling. Our families will be affected differently by these situations, but it will be a challenging season for all of us.

Sometimes, in our desperation, we give up to despair.
Sometimes, in our desperation, we give in to God and
He takes over. He comes in and saves us... maybe not
from the circumstances...but always from the despair.

Give in and find hope, peace, love, healing, and provision.
God's arm is not too short. Nothing is impossible with God.

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

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.”


~~~~~


Laura





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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19 comments:

  1. What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing!

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  2. Love that you share this story each year. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

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  3. Been there, sometimes still doing that...just being real/keeping it truthful.

    What a lovely story, thank you Laura. A very Merry Christmas to you.

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    1. Yes. We need a whole lot more keeping it real. There's such a tendency in the blog world to make it look like everything's perfect in our lives. That's not the way it is for most folks. Got your card today, will open it in a bit. Thank you!
      Hugs to you!
      Laura

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  4. Laura,
    Thank you for blessing me with such a beautiful Christmas story.
    Merry Christmas,
    Mrs.B

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  5. Laura, thank you so much for sharing this heart felt story. God is so good to us.. And we do stumble from time to time, and loose our grip through some hard times.. But...oh how wonderful , that Our loving God forgives us and cares.
    I love the faith of little children.. If only we could be like them.
    SO very happy that God sent these special gifts to your family that Christmas long ago.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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    1. I agree. We struggle so against God sometimes. Oh, that wasn't me in the story of long ago. It was a story that was shared with me long ago.
      Be blessed!
      Laura

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  6. What a story, and once again, it came when I needed it most.
    I am shamed, I have been so down because there wasn't money to buy my children & grandchildren gifts to be proud of.
    We have already had our family Christmas, it's mandatory as all our kids are married and have to split their time with the other sides.
    But reading this? I immediately started praying & thanking God for the time I have with my family, and asking for forgiveness for thinking it just wasn't enough.

    God Bless you & your family Laura, God gave you a gift to reach me, and you and yours are part of my prayers now!
    Always, Laurie

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    1. Thank you, Laurie. I broke down and cried just yesterday about not feeling like I can do enough. I'm learning this with you. I had to ask God to forgive me. My children have always been thankful no matter what they receive. That in itself is something to be thankful for!

      Hugs to you!
      Laura

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  7. I enjoy reading this story of yours every year. I'm not sure how many Christmases I have read it here. It is very sweet and compelling. Thank you for sharing! I hope the next few days bring you much joy and happiness. Merry Christmas Laura!

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    1. Thank you dear Annie. I don't remember how many years I've shared it. We've been down and out a few times over the years, and this story encourages me to remember God will always take care of us.
      Happy joyful Christmas Annie!
      Laura

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  8. Beautiful words, sweet friend. Love and appreciate you so much! And, THANK YOU for my beautiful gift I got in the mail from you! I have it sitting right on the table beside my chair, and each time I look at it, I think of you and the sweet friendship God has given to us. Merry Christmas, and thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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    1. I know you are minimalizing, but I wanted to give you a token of my affection. I'm sorry you need it right now. Be healed in Jesus' Name! Happy Christmas weekend. I opened two of the little packages. Thanks so much for the bag. It's the perfect size for carrying my knitting or crocheting projects and a book. The hand sanitizer smells pretty, too. Thank you!
      Hugs,
      Laura

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  9. What a beautiful story ... such a great lesson and reminder that we all have struggles and challenges but can't lose faith or hope. I'm saving this to tuck into my prayer journal and thank you so much for sharing it. Wishing you a joyous and blessed Christmas and New Year ahead!

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  10. Thank you for that story. My toughest Christmas was in an apartment with no heat and only a box of macaroni and cheese for my meal.

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  11. I very much enjoy reading this every year. Thank you for continuing to share it, and thank you for continuing to write here. You are always an encouragement!

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    1. I need to read it each year, too, Christina! You honor me.

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God bless you! This life only works with Jesus. The next life is a continuation of this one—make sure you spend it with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to God the Father!

Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor