"Nay, lass, I don't know--I can't see not a step before me; but somehow
that don't trouble me. May be it's because I'm weak-like and sick; but the
thought about what's coming doesn't trouble me one bit. I've a feeling
somewhere that the Lord will see after me; and His way is sure to be the
best, and will lead straightest home. It seemed like as if He called me by
name that night, and I went out into the sea not knowing whether I'd sink
in the waves or not. He kept me from that, and brought me safe ashore, and
it seems as though I could leave everything else to Him now. I couldn't
see the way in the dark, with the waves all tumbling and washing over me;
but He could see, and so He can now. That's how I think about it; it's all
right as long as He knows."
Eileen's tears dropped, but she turned her face away and dried them
quickly, and then her smile shone out like a sunbeam.
"Well, if that's how you feel about it, you're a happy man, Jim, and I
needn't worrit myself about you as I have been doing. If we only leave the
future in the hands of the blessed Saviour, we never find that He gives us
cause to regret. He cares for us a deal better than we know how to care
for ourselves."
"It's caring for ourselves as makes us sink in the waves, I'm thinking,
often," said Jim thoughtfully. "That was the way with Peter. It was all
right with him so long as he looked at the Lord and trusted. It was only
when he began to think about himself, and the danger he was in, that he
began to sink, and then so soon as he cried to the Lord he was saved,
and helped in the midst of his peril. It all comes to that all the Bible
through--do the best you can--do the duty that comes to you--and leave the
rest to Him. That was in my head all the while that night. I can't feel
afraid now. Whatever comes to be will be His doing."
And after that Eileen ceased to fret herself over poor Jim's future. She
felt that he had within him that which would brighten his lot, and make
it a happy one, be it cast where it might.
The seas ran too high for several days longer for there to be any hope of
a visit to Lone Rock, but towards the end of the month a calm came down on
the face of the sea, and Pat resumed his watch with the greatest eagerness
and interest. How he wished that Jim could climb up to the gallery and
share it with him, but Jim was quite unable to think of attempting such a
feat. So the little boy divided his time between the high look-out place
and the fireside where Jim passed his time; and Eileen spruced up her
kitchen, and made it as bright as hands could make it, to be ready day by
day for the arrival of the little prince on his promised visit.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account