NO HOPE BUT GOD
The True Account o f God’s Dealings with a Family
By Mina Wiarda
T HE baby lay desperately sick, with polio! There was no hope, the doc tor said. Then Edna remembered God and prayer, and she told her husband Frank that the only thing for them to do was to get down on their knees and cry to the Lord to save their little one. They knelt, and she prayed, promising God that if He would raise up the child, she would serve Him the rest of her life— and she meant it! But Frank didn’t pray —not until fifteen years later. Next time the doctor called he saw a great change. The fever was gone, the child was sleeping peacefully. He de clared that the child would live. It was a miracle he said. It wasn’t long until the baby was up playing, and Edna was undertaking her new life—to live for the Christ she had confessed as Saviour as a child of eight, but from whom she had wandered. Her gratitude was un bounded, and with all of her heart, and soul, and body, she plunged unreservedly into the things of God. On Sundays she would carry the baby and his year-older brother to the church, half a mile away, and back home again. She told Frank it was her intention to live for Christ no matter what it would cost her—even him! She threw out the cards and the liquor, and took no fur ther interest in her favorite pastime, dancing. From her toes she went to her knees, and became an outstanding prayer warrior. Many a soul she prayed into the fold in the years that followed the baby’s serious illness. But Frank was stubborn. He was forced to attend church too much as a kid, he said, and vowed that when he grew up he’d get on without it, get a girl that felt the same way, and live as he pleased. He was a good man—indus trious, honest, clean, was liked and re spected, but he steadfastly refused to at tend religious services. Edna was deeply concerned as to the outcome of rearing two little boys with an unsaved father. She early taught those little tots to pray, and they never went off to school in the morning until the three of them had had a little time with God’s Book and in prayer, each one reading and praying. Edna was an unusual little woman, with a big heart that took in all of the neighborhood. Across the street was a little church building, and she used to M A R C H , 1 9 5 2
Edna’s heart beat fast! “ Oh God, show me what to do and what to say.” Each of the boys prayed, a bit half-heartedly, Edna followed, and then there was a pause. Now, what? Finally, “ Dad, do you want to pray now?” she queried. “ I can’t,” he choked. Edna drew to his side, placed an arm around his shoulders, and tried to say, “ You could, Dad, if you just took Jesus as your Saviour.” “ I have,” was his astonishing reply, as he wrestled for strength to pray. Edna could hardly be lieve her ears or eyes—the blessing was too great to take in all at once. She was like one who dreamed. Finally, Frank prayed, an earnest, heart-felt prayer. And he has not failed to do so ever since and that was four years ago. He has grown wonderfully, too — is faithful at the church, helpful, interested in everything that is done, and utterly dependable. He loves his Bible, too, and never goes to bed until he and Edna have pored over some precious portion. Edna’s Bible is filled with markings and notes, and how Frank wishes he had studied the Word with her during the years he was so indifferent. Frank wants to be a clean Christian as well, so he
pray that God would send someone there to conduct services. And He did, with Edna becoming an outstanding light among the little group. Oh, what a bless ing her life was in that place! She taught the little ones in the Sunday School, and how they loved her and she them! Later she was asked to take the young men’s class. She felt so incapable, but being Spirit-taught and filled, she succeeded, teaching them until they marched off to war. Edna was neigh borhood nurse, adviser, and comforter. She held several offices in the church, and her messages on various occasions were born in prayer, delivered with power, and rich in blessing. She lived a life of prayer, especially for the lost, and one Sunday she had the great joy of seeing seven members of her family —mother, brothers, and sisters—all pub licly confess Christ. Frank had a hankering for a farm, but Edna knew farm life and wanted no more of such hard work. However, a good farm was for sale, and with her consent Frank would buy it. It was thirty miles away, near her old home and the good little church, where Aunt Georgia was a leader—the aunt who led Edna to Christ when she was eight. Finally, she agreed that she would go to the farm if Frank would promise to attend church with his family. He prom ised—and he kept his word. For years many Christian friends had been praying for him. Sunday after Sunday found Frank in the little church where the gospel was faithfully preached. No one tried to deal with him, for they did not wish to antagonize him. The boys grew up. Their country was calling them to arms. The older one would soon finish high school, and go into the army. Then came his last morn ing in the family prayer circle. Edna always prayed that Frank would join them, especially this morning. He hadn’t done so as yet. After breakfast, she tried to hurry the boys into the living room for their devotions, but they didn’t al ways get at it too eagerly, and this was one of those mornings. Frank went into the kitchen, and presently they heard his electric shaver. But they went on with the family altar, first the reading, and then on their knees. No sooner did they get to their knees, when they heard Frank come into the room and kneel.
Frank wrestled for strength to pray (Continued on Page 2h)
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