God's Time-Table by H. H. Barr

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 3, 1910

God's Time-Table

By H. H. Barr

GRIEF has come into her life, grief almost too heavy to bear, but long ago she learned to trust Him and to allow him to share her burdens. Her hair is gray and her step slow, but her confidence in him is now brighter than ever. It was only two short years ago that husband and father were carried to the humble home dead, killed by the fall of rock in the coal shaft. Then a second tragedy: her eldest son stricken in the same “workings,” and in a few moments breathed his last. These two great sorrows within a few months of each other, and her faith wavers not.

Again the shadowy form of sorrow creeps into her home, and the two remaining breadwinners, son and daughter, are cut down within a few days of each other—the son to be taken to the hospital to languish with a wasting fever, and the daughter to be confined to the home for many weeks. The resources of the home are almost exhausted, yet her faith is clear, and she cries: “God doeth all things well.”

She is slowly making her way up the long walk that leads to the hospital, there to lay down her remaining few dollars for her son’s care. She had been to God in prayer, asking him for “some things,” as she said. She knew not how these “some things” were to be given, but she trusted. Near the hospital she came face to face with a man she had known years ago, a retired physician. He greeted her kindly, and soon learned of her recent sorrows. “Your son is now in this hospital, you say? Have you paid anything for his care? Well, you shall pay nothing more, and your son may stay as long as he desires, and he shall have the best of care. I will so order.” And thus it is that she believes God answers prayer, and her faith is strengthened in the Lord. Can any one doubt that God made it possible for the burden-laden widow who had reached man’s extremity and the prosperous friend of other days to meet at that particular moment? God’s “time-table” is never in error.—Rev. H. H. Barr, in Pittsburg Christian Advocate.