Finding the Way
Eight-year-old Alicea wanted very much to ask her mother if she might go next door to play. But some ladies from the Missionary Society were talking with her mother, and it would not be polite to interrupt the conversation. So she stood outside the parlor door and wondered what to do.
At last she slipped inside the door and, softly crossing the room, stood behind her mother’s chair. One of the ladies was telling a story of her childhood. Alicea became so interested she forgot what she wanted to ask her mother, and listened to the story.
This is what the lady said: “When I was a little girl, I wanted very much to be a Christian. But no one ever explained to me what I must do to be one, and for a long time my heart was hungry and thirsty to find out the way.
“Then one day an old man told in meeting how he found the way, even as a little boy. The old man said he went one day in real earnestness, and got down on his knees and asked God to forgive all his naughty doings, and make him God’s own little boy, and from that day on he believed God had forgiven him and made him His child.”
“After I heard that old man,” said the lady, “I also went and asked God to make me His little girl, and to forgive all my bad doings. And,” she added smilingly, “I believe He did. He has helped me ever since, and I am so thankful.”
As Alicea listened to this talk, she thought, Why, that is just what I have wanted to know about—how to find God. Playing next door didn’t seem so important anymore. When the lady had finished her story, Alicea slipped out of the room as quietly as she had come and went to her bedroom.
“Dear God,” she prayed, as she knelt down by her bed. “Will You forgive all the naughty things I have done? Please forgive me for the cross words I said to Sister and for complaining to Mother. I am sorry for hiding Brother’s book and telling a lie about it. I don’t want to lie or be cross again!”
By this time the tears were quietly running down Alicea’s cheeks. As she brushed them away, she thought of how God had helped the lady in the parlor, and she said, “Please make me Your little girl and help me be good. I promise to read my Bible and learn how You want me to live. I do want to please You always, if You would help me, dear God.”
Alicea meant every word she said, for she truly wanted to know God was pleased with her. As she knelt by her bed such a sweetness and joy came into her heart that she was sure God had heard her prayer. Now she, too, could say she found the way to God.
