January, 1945
U
“What’ll we do?" she asked. “Why, nothing p r o b a b l y , ” Aunt Nancy answered cheerfully, “except to sit here and wait for the lights to come back on. This reminds me of two verses in God’s Word: ‘The Lord hath his w a y ...in the storm’ and ‘he car- eth for you.’ The first verse tells us that a storm cannot happen unless God allows it, and it means, too, that He has some purpose in letting it hap pen. Then the other verse tells us that the Lord cares for us. You see, Judith, when we have given our hearts to the Lord Jesus, we are His in a special way. He watches over us no matter what happens and He will take care of all that belongs to us.” Aunt Nancy got no farther in her ex planation, for someone was pounding on the door. When Mother opened it there stood a man, the rain streaming off his raincoat and hat. “ Get some coats on quickly and come with me,” he said. ‘We have been ordered to move everybody out of this section of the city. In the block below you the water is a foot deep in some of the houses.” “O, Mother!” gasped Judith’. "Be quick, children, get your coats and rubbers on. There is no time to waste.” Mother was already hurrying toward the bedroom. "But Mother,” protested Billy. “What will happen to all- our things? I don’t want to leave my new electric train to get all wet. Can’t we take it with us?” “And my doll that Aunt Nancy gave me for Christmas. She will be all spoiled,” added Judith, beginning to cry. “No,” Mother said firmly as she pmothered the fire, “we are going to have to leave everything here—right here in the Lord Jesus’ care.” And then the tall man was carrying Billy and Judith to the truck, with Mother and Aunt Nancy wading clctee behind him through the muddy water. Judith thought that as long as she lived she never would forget that ride. The night was so black, and the water made such an angry, swirling sound. She snuggled close to Aunt Nancy, partly to make room for the either peb- ple for whom they called on the way, and partly because she was afraid.
On New Year's Eve Judith and Billy learned about being . . .
Safe in a Storm
By KAREN SUMNER
J UDITH pressed her nose flat against the' windowpane, and mournfully watched the rain falling in sheets outside. “Is it still pouring?” Billy asked. “ Can’t you hear it?” Judith’s voice and her face matched the darkness of the day. “And just to think that we could go to the New Year’s party to night if this weather would only clear up!” The children knew it would be use less to ask Mother to let them go in the rain, for the one rule which she never broke was—no parties at night if Judith and Billy had to come home in a1storm. In the part of town in which'they livedo when it rained the streets were flooded and sometimes the'water came right into the houses. Billy joined his sister at the win dow. “Boy, what a black sky! It looks like midnight.” “I’m so disappointed!” pouted Judith. “I . She stopped short, for a long rumble of thunder drowned all other sounds. Lightning flashed across the black sky. The rain came down so fast and hard that the children scarcely heard the door bell. “Who could be out In this awful storm?” exclaimed Judith as she and Billy raced to the door. “Aunt Nancy!” they shouted. Of all their relatives, Aunt Nancy was their favorite. She meant popcorn balls and stories, hikes, and taffy-pulls. “I’m drenched!” Aunt Nancy laughed as. she pushed the children aside. “Stand off while the rain drips off me.” “Nancy, I’m so glad you came,”
Mother greeted her sister. “The chil dren are so disappointed because the rain is keeping them from the New Year’s party at the church. Now per haps they will feel hhppier—having you here.” Aunt Nancy made herself comfort able before the fire. The logs in the fireplace made a cheering crackling sound. Billy turned on the radio. Soon the crisp voice of the announcer was -saying, “More rain predicted for to night for all local areas. All residents in the southern section of the city are warned to be on the alert, and to re port any rising water. That is all.” "Mother! Did you hear that?” cried Judith. “Do you suppose we’ll have a flood, and be washed away?” “O, Judy,” Mother laughed. “You always see the worst side of every thing, don’t you? Whatever happens, dear, we know the Lord will take care of us.” She drew Judith to her and hugged her, and then she whispered, “Suppose you and Billy pop some corn for us.” Billy liked the idea right away. But just as he came from the kitchen with the com popper, there was a loud clap of thunder and the lights went out. Except for the glow from the fireplace, the room was dark. Judith moved nearer to Aunt Nancy.
“Be brave, Judith,” Aunt Nancy re minded her. “Those verses from God’s "Word which I told you about are for us right now. Remember that ‘The Lord hath his way . . . in the storm,’ and ‘he careth for you.’ Let’s trust the Lord Jesus to keep us safe from harm, and Jun io r K i n g ' s Bu s ine s s By M A R T H A S. HOO K ER Member of Faculty Bible Institute of Los Angeles
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker