| The Best Things in Life |
Chapter 20 |
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The path may not always be smooth. It is the path of life, but the way of life ofttimes leads through painful experiences. The baby begins to live in a cry, and in some form or other we suffer unto the end. Sometimes there is inscrutable mystery in a particular trial through which we are led. About four and a half years ago a happy young couple come from the marriage altar and set up their home. They were full of hope and joy. A year later a baby came. It was welcomed with great gladness. The young parents gave it to God. From the beginning, however, the baby was a sufferer. All its short years it has been sick. The parents have done all that self sacrificing love could do, all that money could do, in the hope that the little one would recover. The best physicians have been interested and have exhausted their skill in vain efforts to cure the child. But now, at three and a half years, when other children are so bright, so beautiful, such centers of gladness in their homes, this little one is a baby still in her helplessness, not seeing the faces that bend over her in passionate love, not responding to the caresses and tenderness which are lavished upon her.
Recently the child was taken to a distinguished physician. After careful examination his decision was that the case is absolutely hopeless. We can understand how, with what crushing weight, the doctor’s word fell upon this mother’s ears, and how they darkened her life. Until that moment she had still hoped that her child might some time be cured. Now she understands that how long so ever the little one may stay with her, she will never be any better.
“What shall I do?” was the mother’s question, when talking with a friend, in telling of the visit to the great doctor. “What can I do? What ought I to do?”
There is something inscrutable in this providence. What comfort can any one give to such parents? Yet there is comfort; there must be comfort, since God is their Father. For one thing, their child is just as dear to God as if she were well and strong and bright. Indeed, she is dearer. God is just like a mother in his exceeding tenderness and yearning for one who is suffering. This child is dear to God, and has his gentlest sympathy and care. The child’s angel has access to God continually.
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