Read Online Not My Will and The Light in My Window by Francena H. Arnold - Free Book Online
Authors: Francena H. Arnold
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time and attention to it.”
Mrs. Stewart realized that he had evaded her question, but said nothing further. Instead, she opened her shabby handbag and took out a small New Testament. Opening it and laying it on her lap, she said, “It seems to me that the key to the whole situation is found in thethird chapter of Colossians. We have there the picture of the believer who has found the secret of real joy. Listen, dear. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.’ Have you been seeking those things which are above, Son? Or have your best interests and hopes centered on what the world has to offer you? I am sure you haven’t been guilty of what the world calls the grosser sins, but have you not been guilty of withholding from Him that which is rightfully His? Listen again.
“‘Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’ Have you given Him your heart’s best love, or is your profession—your desire to succeed in your calling—dearer to you than He is? Is your life hid with Christ in God?”
Chad did not answer, so his mother turned again to the Book and quoted the well-known verses that picture the believer’s joyful union with Christ and the assurance of the peace that God gives in hearts that are yielded to Him. When she had finished she sat in prayerful silence. Chad was staring at the gravel at his feet, and his hand clasped tightly the watch he had drawn from his pocket. Finally he spoke hesitantly, as if he hardly knew how to express the thoughts that troubled him.
“Mom, a Christian should love Christ more than he loves anyone else, should he not?”
“Yes, Son.”
“How
could
you love Him more than you loved Dad? I always thought that you loved Dad with all your being.”
“I did, dear. I loved him so much that I have never fully lived since he left me. But I love Christ more than that. Some day you will understand what I mean. Lovinga dear one here on earth doesn’t come between us and Christ at all. In fact, I know I loved Dad better because we both loved our Lord. And I know that my Lord was dearer because of the love of my husband.”
Chad was silent, and she spoke again. “Is there one so dear to you, Son?”
His voice broke as he answered, “Yes. I’ll tell you all about her someday when I can show you her picture. I don’t want you to think that she has come between me and the Lord, Mother, for she hasn’t. She is sweet and good, and I know I am better for having loved her. In fact I’m not half good enough for her.”
“I know she is good and sweet or my boy could not love her. But she must not come before your Lord, dear. Come now, it’s growing late. We must be getting back.”
They walked to the farm in silence. Above them the August sky was full of stars, and as Chad looked at them it seemed to him that they were nearer to him than Ellen was. He longed unutterably for her presence and wished that the two of them could kneel together that night and settle their relationship to God. But she was not there, and his conscience urged him to immediate action. He must get right with his Lord himself; then he would be better able to help Ellen when he saw her again.
Mrs. Stewart’s heart longed to help this tall son who still seemed so like a little lad to her, but she had learned through long years of close walking with her Master that it is often better to pray than to talk. So they walked on, over the bridge, up the hill, down the dusty road, and across the dewy lawn. As Chad was about to go to his room, she laid her hand on his arm and said, “Will you do something for me, Chad?”
“What is that, Mom ?”
“Read the third chapter of Colossians again, and pray over it before you go to bed.”
Chad gave her arm a squeeze. “That’s just what I was going to do.” Then he stepped in and closed the door.
Several hours later Mrs. Stewart wakened and noticed a thin shaft of light under Chad’s door. Thinking he had fallen
Mrs. Stewart realized that he had evaded her question, but said nothing further. Instead, she opened her shabby handbag and took out a small New Testament. Opening it and laying it on her lap, she said, “It seems to me that the key to the whole situation is found in thethird chapter of Colossians. We have there the picture of the believer who has found the secret of real joy. Listen, dear. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.’ Have you been seeking those things which are above, Son? Or have your best interests and hopes centered on what the world has to offer you? I am sure you haven’t been guilty of what the world calls the grosser sins, but have you not been guilty of withholding from Him that which is rightfully His? Listen again.
“‘Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’ Have you given Him your heart’s best love, or is your profession—your desire to succeed in your calling—dearer to you than He is? Is your life hid with Christ in God?”
Chad did not answer, so his mother turned again to the Book and quoted the well-known verses that picture the believer’s joyful union with Christ and the assurance of the peace that God gives in hearts that are yielded to Him. When she had finished she sat in prayerful silence. Chad was staring at the gravel at his feet, and his hand clasped tightly the watch he had drawn from his pocket. Finally he spoke hesitantly, as if he hardly knew how to express the thoughts that troubled him.
“Mom, a Christian should love Christ more than he loves anyone else, should he not?”
“Yes, Son.”
“How
could
you love Him more than you loved Dad? I always thought that you loved Dad with all your being.”
“I did, dear. I loved him so much that I have never fully lived since he left me. But I love Christ more than that. Some day you will understand what I mean. Lovinga dear one here on earth doesn’t come between us and Christ at all. In fact, I know I loved Dad better because we both loved our Lord. And I know that my Lord was dearer because of the love of my husband.”
Chad was silent, and she spoke again. “Is there one so dear to you, Son?”
His voice broke as he answered, “Yes. I’ll tell you all about her someday when I can show you her picture. I don’t want you to think that she has come between me and the Lord, Mother, for she hasn’t. She is sweet and good, and I know I am better for having loved her. In fact I’m not half good enough for her.”
“I know she is good and sweet or my boy could not love her. But she must not come before your Lord, dear. Come now, it’s growing late. We must be getting back.”
They walked to the farm in silence. Above them the August sky was full of stars, and as Chad looked at them it seemed to him that they were nearer to him than Ellen was. He longed unutterably for her presence and wished that the two of them could kneel together that night and settle their relationship to God. But she was not there, and his conscience urged him to immediate action. He must get right with his Lord himself; then he would be better able to help Ellen when he saw her again.
Mrs. Stewart’s heart longed to help this tall son who still seemed so like a little lad to her, but she had learned through long years of close walking with her Master that it is often better to pray than to talk. So they walked on, over the bridge, up the hill, down the dusty road, and across the dewy lawn. As Chad was about to go to his room, she laid her hand on his arm and said, “Will you do something for me, Chad?”
“What is that, Mom ?”
“Read the third chapter of Colossians again, and pray over it before you go to bed.”
Chad gave her arm a squeeze. “That’s just what I was going to do.” Then he stepped in and closed the door.
Several hours later Mrs. Stewart wakened and noticed a thin shaft of light under Chad’s door. Thinking he had fallen
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