The mother sighed, as the thought came into her mind, "Oh, that I could receive the kingdom of God, that I could grasp His promises and trust Him, as this little child, who first heard of Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, through me! How easy it seems to tell others; how difficult to 'Rejoice in the Lord alway,' and to trust Him as a child submits to the leading of a loving parent."
The morning came, and again Nellie whispered her inquiry, "Mamma, I have asked God again. Is the trouble gone yet?"
Mrs. Matthews was half afraid to say "No," there was something so touching in the child's confidence. She replied, "Not yet, Nellie."
"But it will, mamma?" half inquiringly.
"Yes, dear," replied Mrs. Matthews, firmly, "it will, Nellie. But we cannot be sure when or how. God knows what is best. Never forget that, dear. Sometimes He makes us wait awhile, to see if we can be patient and trust Him and sometimes, though He does not take away the trouble, He makes us strong and willing to bear it."
This was something new for the child. She thought; the little face brightened. "I understand, mamma. I know," she cried, eagerly. "You love me; but you do not always give me everything I want, and sometimes you make me wait. I will ask God to make you strong."
Day after day the child waited, prayed, and expected an answer, believing it would certainly come. One morning, Mr. Matthews received a letter as they were all at breakfast. As he read it his face grew bright; he handed it to his wife, and Nellie heard her mother say, while tears of a new kind ran down her cheeks, "Thank God!"
"Mamma, mamma! Is the trouble gone?" cried Nellie, eagerly.
"My darling, it is," was the answer, as she kissed the face of her little comforter with a thankful heart.
Mr. Matthews wondered what Nellie meant, especially when he heard her glad shout, "I knew it would go! I was sure it would go."