Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 277, 28 February 1941, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

LIVE TODAY The Minister opened a long envelope from .'lis bundle of mail. "Another intimation, probably," he remarked. Instead, he found a packet of typed verses, with a note enclosed —"Perhaps you could use these when visiting." He read them through. God is in every to-morrow, Therefore I live for to-day, Certain of finding at sunrise Guidance and strength for the way; Power for each moment of weakness, Hope for each moment of pain, Comfort for every sorrow, Sunshine and joy after rain. God is in every to-morrow, Planning for you and for me; E'en in the dark Avill I follow— Trust where my eyes cannot see; Stilled by His promise of blessing, Soothed by the touch of His Hand, Confident in His protection, Knowing my life path is planned. • * » » He put a few copies into his pocket book as he went out that afternoon. Mrs Bell was in the garden, working at a bed )!' wall flowers. "I came out because I was feeling blue," she said as she greeted the Minister. "Nothing restores me «to my senses like the garden. I am ready for n rest, now. Do come in, and I'll make you a cup of tea." "Our world has' gone upside down," she remarked, as she spread the cloth on the table. "It's difficult to think straight." "It's upside down for us all," the Minister answered, as liis thoughts turned to his only son. "Yes, I know. And yet, I suppose that we each feel that this war affects us in a particular way; it may even be that we feci that the huritj of others could not be as sore as our own."

'"You have iust the two boys; liavent's you?" the Minister enquired. "Yes, and I never wished so much for a daughter as I do now—just to have someone to share the burden* with." "Bui: 3 t ou have your husband, " the visitor suggested. "Yes, I have; and he is a tower of strength to me. But how can *1 add to his load by letting him know that my heart is breaking? For his sake I've got to keep as quiet and cheerful as possible." "Actually, there isn't anything to worry you yet, in , regard to your boys," the Minister reminded.

OUR SUNDAY MESSAdE (Supplied by the Whakatane Ministeirs' Association).

"No, I know,'' Mrs "Bill admitted. "X am crossing all my rivers before I come to the bridges. 1 am carrying the burden of next "week, and next month,, and next year. While the boys are still iiii camp, I have I'arewelled them, most pathe/ticsally a dozen times. I have had them hopelessly wounded, suffering untold horrors in prison, r.nd dying horrible deaths!" The Minister smiled at the recital. "After telling you all that," the mother said, "I am beginning to laugh at myself. It is a pity -to spoil to-day by bringing to-morrow's troubles into it." "We are all apt to do that, and it isn't always a war that brings It about," the Minister observed. "Dr. Worcester once said that you could pack all the actual misfortunes of your life into n moderate-sized cupboard: Avhile your whole house, no matter how bi.g it is, Avould scarcely hold out Lhe unrealised evils and misfortunes you have feared and looked forward to." "It's true," Mrs Bell agreed, "life i<? like that. Nine-tenths of our troublos never come, and we can stand the one-tenth." "Yesterday." the lady continued, "I saw the telegraph boy coming in at the gate. A series) of calamities flashed through mv mind-—my sister seriously ill, or dead: 'Come! at once.'' T opened the wire, and it read "A Happy Birthda v dear!" "You have much to be thankful for in your fine lads." the Minister remarked as he was leaving. "Whatever may com<\ and wlice ever they may go. you have no cause to fear. Their bodies may be hurt, but their characters will remain fine and true." "Yes" Mrs Bell' replied.'"l'm lieartilv sorry for the mothers who ha-ve no confidence in their boj T s, for the weak ones, so easily led, into evil'. No wonder if lhe mothers of such lads distract themselves by looking forward to things which they cannot see. "And at a time like this,," the lady continued, "I don't know what people do who have no Christian foundation. Deep down, in^ our hearts we have the assurance that we may draw on the inexhaustible resources of God." "There are some." the visitor replied, "who hear in these days a call back to the old paths." When be left, the Minister handed a copy of the verses to Mrs Bell, who read them eagerly— "God is in evoi v 10-morrow, Life with it's changes may come ; He is behind end before me : While in the dtatan.ee shines Home." "That is just right," she murmur-