The cattle were more restless than usual. With heads bent low looking for the bunch grass that grows here and there on the desert, they wandered far from the outskirts of the little town. The steady hot wind that had been blowing all morning was now turning into a sand storm. It blew hard at the faces of Beth and Sam who were “riding herd” that day, and stung their eyes.

“There’s an old shack up ahead. Shall we take shelter till this blows over?” Sam called to his sister.

Sure enough! They were approaching an old homesteader’s cabin, but it was deserted and apparently had been so for a long, long time. They were thankful for any kind of shelter, however, and after hitching their horses to a post they took refuge in the little building that had become as weathered and bleached as a bone.

There were just two rooms inside. The bare wooden walls showed daylight between the cracks of the boards, and regular sand dunes had formed in the corners. The windows were all broken out, and the wind whistled through their poor shelter.

“This isn’t much better than outdoors” said Beth in great disappointment. “But look, here is a big old cupboard that’s as snug as can be!” exclaimed Sam. The shelves probably had been removed by someone that needed the lumber. “The only trouble is that the doors won’t stay shut, but I can fix that.” Sam found an old two-by-four which he braced against the opposite wall, and after they had both stepped into the cupboard he eased the other end down and then let it settle against the doors. While the storm howled about them, they were content to stay huddled down within the crowded space of the old cupboard. At last the wind seemed to die down a little and they decided they should start out again and get the cattle rounded up.

Sam pushed against the old but well built cupboard doors, but they wouldn’t yield. He pushed harder and harder. Then they both pushed together with all their might. The fact the doors wouldn’t yield made them afraid they wouldn’t get out at all. But Sam was still confident of his own strength. A rotten two-by-four shouldn’t be too hard to break! He braced his back against the wall and placed his feet against the door, then pushed with every ounce of strength he had. How Sam wished this door was a flimsy panel of wood that would give way under such pushing. But it wasn’t and it didn’t budge! Sam and Beth examined and tested the hinges, but they too were of sturdy stuff that didn’t give.

Beth was scared and said, “What if we never get out—what if we starve in here?” Sam thought hard and then spoke out, “I think we’d better pray.” They had always prayed at bedtime and father always thanked the Lord at mealtimes. They had often heard about the Lord Jesus and heard the Bible read each day, but as yet it had not become a personal matter between their own souls and God. Now they felt for the first time their great need of Him. When we come to the end of ourselves, we then see our need of salvation.

“FOR WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH,
IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.”
Romans 5:6.

Their prayers were very childish, being the only ones they knew. “Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.” Even though they both knew it didn’t fit this occasion at all, Sam also prayed: “Come, dear Lord, and be our guest. Bless this food which Thou hast provided, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” This prayer he repeated in German, as though it might be more effective in entreating God’s attention. At the last he added what was really on his heart, “And please help us get out of here.” Did God pay attention? I’m sure He heard those children.

When all goes well we tend to think lightly of God and of eternity. Just as Sam’s lack of thinking ahead had placed them in their difficult situation, so will yours put you in outer darkness if you do not turn to the Lord while there is yet time!

Sam tried again to push against the prison-like doors until he was worn out. Then he sank down and gave serious thought to their hard problem. Through a crack about a foot above the floor, a light streamed in from beneath the cupboard doors. This was something to investigate. He felt around and in this way made the wonderful discovery. There was a way of escape!

“I think we’re sitting in a drawer, Beth. Help me push it open!” Using their bodies for leverage, they pushed with their feet against the front of the drawer, and against the wall with their hands. In just a minute it slid open and in less time than that, they had scrambled out and were free!

Tears and prayers and good works do not cleanse the soul from the stain of sin. But there is a way to be ready when the Lord Jesus comes and gives the shout for His own. Peace has been made long ago at Calvary’s cross. The way is open now to heaven, for all who believe what God’s Word says:

“THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.”
1 John 1:7.

“A MAN SHALL BE AS AN HIDING PLACE FROM THE WIND,
AND A COVERT FROM THE TEMPEST.”
Isaiah 32:2.

Second Chance Corner

by
Gladys Klassen

“Four more minutes till the bus rolls” said Daddy, zipping up his jacket. For fourteen years he had been driving the school bus, and kept a clock-like schedule. The children began a mad scramble that somehow repeated itself daily in spite of the advice given in advance to have things all ready.

“Your hair doesn’t look combed to me, Herb” reminded Mother. Beth remembered at the same moment that she hadn’t brushed her teeth after breakfast. Sam scattered a pile of books in an attempt to sort out which ones were his. Beth followed Mother explaining that she was out of theme paper and needed some money and Randy needed an excuse written for yesterday’s absence. Sam was rummaging through the apple box, looking for some extra ones to eat on the way. The bus horn sounded and there were hasty kisses and goodbyes. Some ran out the door and some rushed back after forgotten lunch boxes and mittens. It was hard to direct traffic without some kind of casualties.

“Where’s my library book? It’s due today!” “That’s my scarf, your’s is in the closet!” A scuffling of feet, a slamming of doors; then a sudden roar of the idling bus engine and they were off. All was quiet, and then a small wail arose from the back porch. “I was just putting my boots on, and he didn’t wait for me.”

“Well, Herb, it looks as if you are left behind, but you know why, don’t you?” “I just about had them on too,” was the sad answer.

“Who didn’t get up when he was called this morning? Who was late to breakfast? You always think there’s plenty of time—until it’s too late. Now you will have to run down to “the second chance corner” and see if you can meet the bus at the crossroads as Daddy comes back down the road from Waggoners.”

Mother watched the little fellow run out the gate and head for the crossroads. Yes, sometimes there is a “second chance” but it is a poor thing to count on. It can mean losing one’s own soul, heaven and eternity with Christ.

“IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMP:
FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND, AND THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE,
AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED.”
I Corinthians 15:52.

But what if we’re not ready? What if we really meant to get saved? What if we had even thought about it? What if we had listened in Sunday School? What if we had said our verses every Sunday, but had put off turning to Him and being saved?

It will be too late, no second chance to be ready then.

“BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME;
BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.”
2 Corinthians 6:2.

FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YE WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS,
AS SILVER AND GOLD . . .
BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST.
1 Peter 1:18,19

Wee Willie Wheat Print

Preface

The author of this booklet was known to many as “Aunt Gladys.” When she was 4 years old, her mother passed into the presence of the Lord, and God used the sorrows of death as well as her own suffering from ill health to bring out a sweetness in the various books, poems, and tracts which she wrote.

She had a large heart for children and could often be found with them gathered about her, listening attentively as she spoke of the wonderful “Friend for little children,” the Lord Jesus Christ. One of these little ones, her great grandson, Stephen, was gathered into the Father’s heavenly garner, like a little kernel of wheat shortly after his sixth birthday. Several times he had asked his mommy during the last day of his life on earth, “What can I do now to serve the Lord Jesus?” What a precious “jewel” in our Saviour’s crown! His home call moved Aunt Gladys to compare our life to a kernel of wheat, resulting in this story.

“They Shall Be Mine,” and now, “Wee Willie Wheat” are two books she wrote with a desire that the way of salvation be made very clear in accordance with the Saviour’s own words, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” Wee Willie Wheat is an allegory written shortly before her Master called her home on February 1, 1987 and is based on John 12:24, “Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit.” She was married over 50 years to a wheat farmer. Her varied experiences of rural life provided a background for the story you are about to read.

She loved Zechariah 8:4,5 “The streets of Jerusalem… shall be full of boys and girls playing…” linking them with the Lord Jesus’ own words in Luke 14:23 “Compel them (boys and girls) to come in, that my house may be filled.” Knowing that her love and interest went far beyond the circle of her own children, her family has gathered up the pages to bind them into a book. She trusted the book would draw hearts to Christ and fulfill her prayerful desire that heaven be filled with happy boys and girls. She desired that they would know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and Lord and be found watching for Him to take them to the Father’s house in heaven. The harvest is just about to take place – Are you ready to be gathered in?

Wee Willie Wheat

Willie Wheat felt himself slipping. “What’s goin’ on here?” he gulped. His brother Wally, it seemed, was moving along right beside him on the outgoing tide of wheat.

Wally yawned, “Well, finally something must be happening… I thought we were going to have to stay here forever, just jammed together in this big wheat elevator.”

“Well, Mother told us before harvest last fall that we’d probably be stored all winter in here. It must be getting springtime, suppose?”

“Whee!” cried their sister Winnie gleefully as she glided right past them. “This is fun! It’s just like going down a big slide.” There were so many of them slipping and sliding along… and way up ahead was a brightness that hurt Willie’s eyes.

“Hang tight!” he said, taking his twin brother’s hand, “so we can stay together. We should have grabbed Winnie’s hand, too… I can’t see her anywhere now.”

Suddenly, they slid from the dark hold of the wheat elevator and tumbled from a chute, like a waterfall down… down… into the mouth of a big dark hole.

“We’ve been swallowed alive!” gasped Wally, as soon as he could catch his breath.

“No, I think we’re O.K. It’s a big gunny sack we’re in now.”

They had been dusted with some chemicals to kill insects, and they sputtered and tried to clear their eyes. After several sneezes, they settled down more comfortably and could peek out of the windows.

“Say, now we’re going for a truck ride!”

This was great… out in the fresh air and sunshine riding along, watching cows grazing in the fields.

“Oh, look at the little lambs frisking together over there. Aren’t they cute!” exclaimed Wally.

“The leaves of the trees are so green when they’ve just budded out … and look at that little stream over there,” exclaimed Willie. “I wish we could go wading and get some of this dust washed off.” He said wistfully.

“You’d drown,” retorted Wally. “We’re not fish, you know.”

After what seemed like hours and hours of riding along, they turned into a field and drove through soft dirt to the top of a hill… and then the motor stopped.

All was quiet. The sun was setting, and they had a wonderful view of the gorgeous colors glowing in the sky. “Our God created all this,” mused Willie, “what must it have been in the beginning?”

“And it was good,” breathed Wally.

Soon the darkness closed in, and Willie heard a coyote howl not too far off. Then the whole pack joined in with a chorus of yips and shrill barks.

“It’s so good to see the stars again, isn’t it, Willie? Look, the moon’s coming up over there.”

“God is always on time… He never sleeps. You better not be a sleepyhead tomorrow, ‘cause these farmers start early, from what I hear.”

Sure enough, when the sun’s first rays peeped over the horizon, they saw some machinery headed right toward them.

“Look at that tractor!” gasped Willie. “That’s no little tractor… it’s a big 8-wheeler… and it’s pulling a machine that plants the seeds, We’re going to have the new experience that Father told us about… remember?”

Shortly, strong hands picked up the sack and dumped it, along with others, into the top of the seeder. Who should be right next to them but Winnie!

“Hey, how’d you get here?” she greeted them.

“Same as you did, I guess… let’s all stay close together this time,” said Willie, wiggling closer to her side and grasping her hand.

“Where are we going now?” asked Winnie.

“They’re going to settle us in a place where we will learn God’s will for us and what we can do to serve Him.”

“Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up.” Matthew 13:3-4.

“I hope that doesn’t happen to me!” said Wally.

“Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9

The men handling the sacks checked the quality of the seed by picking out a small handful and shaking them about in their hands. “It looks like good, clean wheat – and quite well-formed,” said one. Winnie puckered up and almost cried, thinking she was being criticized. But Willie and Wally said, “Don’t let it bother you… we’ll show them what we can do!”

Back into the seeder they were tossed, and soon the machinery was in motion. Up those rolling hills and down they traveled, behind the roaring tractor.

Soon they felt themselves slipping down a long tube toward the ground. They held hands tightly, blocking the exit.

“That seeder is clogged,” said Dan. “We’ll have a ‘skip’ in the field if I don’t get it free right away.” He poked a finger into the seeder tube and pushed Willie, Wally and Winnie out so fast they popped right down into a row and were covered with dirt before you could say “scat”.

“I think this will be a nice place,” said Winnie. “It’s not a bit rocky or anything like that… but I don’t want to stay down here all my life, do you?”

“You don’t have to… don’t you remember Father telling us of that ‘new life’ to be lived?”

Jesus unlocked these mysteries of life for us when He was here. He said, “I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:35

When boys or girls, accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and are cleansed from their sins by the precious blood that He shed on Calvary’s cross, they are given new and everlasting life, even here and now. He gives us the desire and the power to live for Him and to bring forth fruit for heaven.

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection… consider yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our lord.” Romans 6:5,11

“This is much better than being locked up in that elevator prison. You know, I think it’s raining… doesn’t that feel good?”

“Yes, but I’m sleepy, I’m going to have a snooze.”

Several weeks later, Willie found he couldn’t button up his vest properly when he woke up. Oh well, it didn’t matter he wasn’t going anywhere today.

But Winnie noticed and scolded: “What’s the matter with us… the seam on this side of my dress popped wide open this morning, and it looks like you’ve changed too, Wally… look at the zipper on your jacket!”

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone, but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24

It was now April; the weather grew warm. When Willie opened his eyes one morning, he was peeking out of the ground. Everything was strange and new… a few other sprouts were about him that he did not recognize.

On the other side of him, however, he was amazed to see a whole field of darker-looking wheat, four or five inches tall. Where did it all come from? … and how did it get so big?

Just then Winnie peeked out–wide-eyed and wondering. “Hey, Willie, did you just sprout up this morning, too? Isn’t this exciting?”

“Where’s Wally, I wonder?”

“Probably still sleeping in… if I know him.”

He turned to the taller, darker wheat and asked politely, “What country did you come from?”

One fine young blade chuckled… “We’re from north of here… we’re glad to meet some new neighbors.

“Better lower your heads… here comes a spray plane”, he shouted, as a plane made a sudden noisy attack swooping down low over them. Coming out of the dive, it flew off again, leaving a film of spray dripping from the wheat.

Willie was shaking his head when he heard a howl of protest from Wally. “Who’s getting all that stuff in my eyes?” he sputtered.

“Well, it’s all over with now, so don’t get uptight about a little spray,” said the young blade. “It’s to keep the broadleaf and wild oats down.”

With each new day, Willie gained a new growth… but he eyed his neighbors rather enviously… they were far taller than he.

One day he complained, “I’m so thirsty… if only I could have a drink.”

“Well, listen to me, and see if you can wiggle your toes and send your roots down deeper. There’s always more moisture farther down,” said one kind lady.

“How do you know?” countered Winnie. “I’m thirsty, too, and I’ve been wiggling my toes, but it seems like I’m standing on some ‘hard dirt’.”

“I tried real hard and broke through some, too,” offered another neighbor; “I think you can, also.” “The deeper your roots, the better the quality your grain will be for God.”

A tall young fellow close to Winnie snickered, “If you take the advise of these oldies, you’ll never get anywhere. Hey, I think you’re cute!”

Winnie looked down, unable to meet his bold gaze.

Wally spoke up, “What’s your name?”

“Otis,” replied the handsome young fellow, “what’s yours?”

“Wally Wheat… and this is my brother Willie.”

He nodded… and they sort of admired the careless ease and amused look on his face. He seemed to be “in the know”, and talked to everyone around.

At night, a moisture filled the air, and dew collected on the underside of their leaves for them to drink.

“God knows we need it,” said Winnie, and at the same time she noticed Otis turn away.

In the morning the sun’s first rays tinted the eastern sky. “How beautiful is the touch of the Master Artist!” she exclaimed.

Again Otis turned away.

Winnie had grown quite fond of the older couple nearby and asked them many questions.”Why do you turn toward the sun every morning?”

“God sends us light for each new day. The more we look to Him, the more He helps us to fulfill His will. We have lived longer than you have, because we were planted last fall and have endured a long, cold winter. We’ve learned to value the sunshine, and even though the weather is sometimes hot now, we could not do without the Light.”

Behind the back of his hand, Otis snickered, and just at that moment Wally caught him taking his food.

“Hey, that’s mine!” he shouted.

“Call me a thief, do you? You little runt!!”

Willie was indignant to hear his brother insulted like that, but he could hardly tackle Otis… he was head and shoulders above the whole crowd. There were other things that bothered him… yet, Winnie seemed oblivious that anything was wrong and welcomed his attention.

“Where did Otis come from?” Willie later asked his older friends.

“While men slept, the enemy came and planted wild oats among the wheat and went his way… The servants said unto Him, will You have us go and gather the wild oats up?” But He said, “No, lest while you gather up the wild oats, you root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, gather you together first the wild oats and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matthew 13:25–30

Otis never seemed hungry nor thirsty like Willie was, and Willie couldn’t figure out how Otis stood so straight and tall either, when Willie could hardly hold up his head.

His old neighbor said wisely, “You have golden kernels of wheat forming for the Lord of the Harvest, that’s why.”

Winnie too, whimpered for a drink, but Otis kidded her, “You’re doing fine, Honey… soon the moon will be out, and it’ll be nice and cool, and we can have some fun!”

Wally was quite surrounded by tall guys like Otis. If he complained when they took more than their share of food or water, they just tossed their heads and whistled a jaunty tune, snapping their fingers and swaying together.

“We’ve got things to do and places to go,” they said loftily. “If it weren’t for guys like you who stay green behind the ears so long, we’d have been out of here and on our way before this.”

One day two men came walking into the field. “It looks like the winter wheat is ready to harvest,” said one.

“I know, and the spring wheat has developed fast because of the rain shortage. I think it will be ready early; we can begin to harvest it as soon as we’ve finished with the winter wheat. I must hire the young men to work in the field and remove the wild oats tomorrow. There’s quite a lot of wild oats, you notice, and we don’t want to seed any more wild oats, that’s for sure!”

“How can they be sure which is which?”

“Well, with the wild oats, you’ll notice the heart of it is always black, It really shows up at this stage. When it is younger, it is almost impossible to tell the difference except under very close examination. The leaves of the wheat turn toward the sun. The leaves of the wild oats turn away and wrap in the opposite direction. The wild oats are absolutely good for nothing… they rob the soil of nourishment that the wheat should have.”

Willie heard every word they said. One of the farmers pulled a few heads from the winter wheat and compared it with a few heads of the spring wheat.

“Look at the difference here, Dan,” he remarked. “These that received the benefit of both the early and latter rains are filled out well; but the kernels in the spring wheat are smaller and somewhat pinched. They really have turned out better than I had expected though, with so little rain this season. Like us, they need the ‘Water of the Word’ to grow.”

Willie later told Wally what he had heard the farmer say, and they were glad he had found that they had brought forth more than sixtyfold.

They were both watching when several young fellows came out into the field the next morning. “We’ve got lots of ground to cover if we’re going to get this field clean,” said Troy, as he reached for some tall stalks of wild oats. On they came, passing by Willie, Wally and Winnie, but seeing Otis with his look of scorn, Troy yanked him out roots and all, and dumped him into the gunny sack of wild oats.

“Behold a sower went forth to sow. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the Kingdom; but the wild oats are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the wild oats are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.”

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-44

Winnie gave a big sigh as she turned and asked, “Wally, aren’t you glad we know and believe the love that God has for us?”

“Yes,” Wally answered, “the fruit of the Spirit can begin to grow as soon as we come to the Lord Jesus, realizing our old nature is bad, and only He can cleanse us and give us newness of life and help us to be ready for the harvest time.”

Willie waved his arms and pointed to the big combines. “Look,” he shouted, “harvest is going to begin at anytime now! Soon we will all be gathered into our Father’s heavenly garner – safe for all eternity!”.

“He that goeth forth
and weepeth, bearing
precious seed shall
doubtless come again
with rejoicing, bringing
his sheaves with him.”
Psalms 126:6

Dudley the Snow Goose

Dudley—The Snow Goose

by
Gladys Klassen

As soon as the big yellow school bus rumbled into the yard where it always stayed for the night, Randy hopped down the steps and rushed into the house to change his school clothes. No loitering this time. Pretty soon he was ready and back outdoors again, running in the direction of the road. On he ran, peering down into the ditches on either side. He was looking for something he had spotted on the way home.

Down in the culvert a big fine snow goose was painfully making its way through the dried tumbleweeds and loose rocks. Hunters had shot and wounded it in the wing. It had floundered awkwardly to the ground, calling in distress to its mate and friends who were on their way south for the winter. Frightened by the gunfire they flew on, leaving him helplessly alone.

A shadow, then a dark figure bore down on him as he waddled along dragging his injured wing. He struggled in vain as Randy’s strong hands pinned him down and then lifted him gently in his arms and carried him home.

He locked the goose up in the vacant brooder house and put fresh water and mash and wheat before it. For weeks he cared for it, and turned it outside into an open pen for fresh air each day. Sometimes he sprayed it with fine mist from the hose. This was what Dudley, as he was nicknamed, specially liked.

By this time Randy was quite attached to his pet and he phoned to the game warden to see if he could possibly locate a mate for it so it wouldn’t be so lonely. But it was a snow goose that spent the summers in Canada and flew south for winter, so there were no others to be had.

One day Randy left the gate unhooked while he was putting down wheat for Dudley, and it swung open. When he turned the goose was gone. Dudley walked out the gate and down to the water trough. He fluttered his wings and found they could work pretty well, for the wound was healing nicely by now. After a little investigating he walked back to his pen and looked at Randy, who was delighted to see he wasn’t trying to escape.

Have you known what it is to be lost? Have you known what it is to be without strength? Well then, consider yourself for a moment like Dudley, traveling toward your destiny — but stricken by sin which will not allow you to enter into God’s holy presence. Yes, you too are stricken and just as unable to lift yourself out of your fallen condition as he was. And you will be left behind when the Lord comes, if mother and father and sisters and brothers are saved and you are not.

“When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6. Here then is the Saviour, the only One who is able to help poor perishing sinners. And He is willing. He is loving. He proved His love by bearing all the punishment for all who will believe, from God’s own hand on the cross of Calvary. “With His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

Dudley walked back into his pen with a “Quack, quack, quack.” But after this the gate was not locked, so he could come and go as he pleased.

Dudley was well fed and cared for, and was such a friendly, social pet, yet he was unmistakably lonely. He seemed to be watching and waiting for something. All winter long he patiently waited, though it was evident he could fly if he wished.

Spring arrived early this year, and with the warmer weather came flocks of birds. Early one morning high overhead we heard “Honk, honk, honk.” Guess what it was! Dudley heard it too—he was last seen flying over the housetop, and away.

Are you watching and waiting for something too? Are you ready? A dear old white haired grandpa was waiting and listening for something, even though he was stone deaf. He did not worry that he might not hear it, for he knew it would wake even the dead in Christ, and he always said, “The first sound I’ll ever hear will be the shout in the air.” Yes, he waited to hear the voice of his precious Saviour Who is soon coming to call us who belong to Him to His bright home above. Are you one of His redeemed ones who will hear His voice saying,

“RISE UP, MY LOVE,
MY FAIR ONE, AND COME AWAY.”
Song of Solomon 2:10.

Snowy white wings reflected the early streaks of dawn as a flock of Canadian Snow Geese continued their long flight north. Unerringly they flew the blue sky in just the right direction.

Snow was shining on the upper slopes of the mountains and the little town below was still asleep. A few miles farther, and one of the geese broke formation by circling low over a quiet farm yard and houses. It flew to the water trough and began to splash and quack loudly. Such a commotion. It woke some of the sleeping household. Drowsily they wondered what was going on. “Quack, Quack!” He waddled about honking as if to ask “Is anyone home?”

He had not forgotten Randy and wanted to say, “Thanks again.” He circled the farm several times calling, calling . . . and then with a farewell note he flew swiftly to catch up with the rest.

Later at the breakfast table mother asked, “Did you hear our visitor this morning so early? Could it be that Dudley still stops in to pay his respects?”

Father said, “Well they have been proven to live many years and they have a deep sense of love and loyalty so it could very well be.” Nearly every fall and spring someone has heard the call of Dudley sounding a note of thanks which warms the hearts of the little family in the farmhouse where the Snow Goose was once taken care of.

Let us never forget to thank the One Who came down right where we were, lost and helpless and rescued us in spite of our resistance to His love.

“HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS,
HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES:
THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM;
AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.”
Isaiah 53:5.

The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus sees even a little sparrow that falls to the ground. If the Saviour looks down and sees each little sparrow, let us remember how much He loves each and every boy and girl.

“ARE NOT TWO SPARROWS SOLD FOR A FARTHING?
AND ONE OF THEM SHALL NOT FALL ON THE GROUND WITHOUT YOUR FATHER.
FEAR YE NOT THEREFORE,
YE ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS.”
Matthew 10:29, 31.

Wee Willie Wheat

Preface