Parables and Pearls (continued) THE PERFECT RUST ARRESTER The oil and gas industry have re ported that corrosion in pipe lines costs more than five and a half million dol lars a year for repair. Rust encrusted pipes must be reclaimed by being care fu lly checked and completely treated chemically by immersion in solutions of degreasing and cleaning acids and caustics. Then they are sand blasted and retreated with an anti-corrosive and a tough outside plastic coating. You can imagine how this expense would quickly mount up. In a similar way, God has ordained His servants, you and I, to be lifelines, carrying the Gospel message and w in ning souls for Christ. As pipelines we are to be channels of blessing to others. Yet careless living, unbelief, worldli ness, a lack of prayer are some of the things that bring costly corrosives to our lives. Do you feel spiritually “rus ty” today? An immersion in the cleans ing oil of God’s Holy Spirit w ill re move that which is hampering the flow of the Lord’s blessing through your life. The Bible assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and fust to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). * * * We may often regret our speech but seldom our silence. * * * BEATING ME HOME Through the shady lane, ere the sun had set, We strolled together, my boy and I; Far above our heads, where the tree- tops met And the blue sky shone through a lacy net. The birds were singing a lullaby. Of all that he meant to do and be; How he'd grow and grow to be a great big man; And the short arms stretched to their utmost span; And work his hardest, and all for me. And my small boy chattered, as small boys can,
At the end of the lane he stayed his feet, With wistful eyes on the way that led From the sleepy calm of the village street To the city's noise and the city's heat; "Oh, why do we never go there? he said. So I answered again the old demand, The road was dusty and hard and long; And I gathered closer the little hand. For I fain would keep him in child hood's land, Untouched by sorrow and pain and wrong. Now his words are echoing o'er and o'er, Through my empty heart and the empty air; "Mother dear, I'm beating you home once more, I'll just go ahead and open the door; Just follow me slow and you'll find me there." Oh, the home he has reached is safe and sweet, And slow my walk through a long, long lane, As I follow the prints of his flying feet, And list' for his laughter my ears to greet, Follow and listen, and not in vain. I have done forever with all my fears; No care shall sadden his joyous song. And his eyes shall never be dimmed by tears, For the child heart beats through the endless years Untouched by sorrow and pain and wrong. And I know, though the silence hurts me sore And still to my longing his voice is dumb, He has only "beaten me home" once more; He has "gone ahead to open the door," And he's waiting there for me to come.
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