Jewel # 114 (June 24, 2012)

"And They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts,

in that day when I make up

MY JEWELS."

(Malachi 3:17)

To my dear grandchildren,

Tommy's Rescue

Tommy had spent a week at a day camp and had heard how God loved him and had sent His Son Jesus to die for him.  Even though he was just nine years old, Tommy decided to trust Jesus as his Saviour.  He believed that on the cross Jesus had taken the punishment he deserved for his sins.

Some weeks later, Tommy was at a lake with his family and was so happy to discover he could go out alone in a canoe.  He had learned how to paddle it and get back to the dock by himself.  So one afternoon while his dad sat on the dock reading, Tommy headed off in the canoe.  A wind suddenly came up, and the water became rough with waves.  Hard as he tried, the canoe refused to turn in the direction he wanted it to go.  Instead, he found himself being blown farther and farther away from the shore.

Now Tommy was really scared and started to cry.  But his dad, not realizing what was happening, never looked up from his reading, and Tommy was out too far for his calls to be heard.  

But all was not lost.  Tommy thought about what he had learned at the day camp.  He remembered that God loved him and would hear his prayer.  So he stopped crying and prayed that God would make someone see him before the waves took the canoe out of sight.

Did God answer his prayer?

His sister was in the cottage and suddenly decided to go see where Tommy was.  Searching the water, she finally saw him far away on the other side of the lake.  She quickly told the family where he was.  They got a boat and followed him across the choppy lake and rescued Tommy from his scary adventure.

Tommy was happy to tell his family that after he had prayed he was not scared any more.  He knew God would send someone for him.  Isn't it great that God hears the prayers of children, as well as older ones, who call upon Him?  In the Bible we have a wonderful promise from God:  "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15).  Tommy probably will never forget his lesson of how God answered his prayer.

I love you all,

Grandpa