The Expected Miracle Happened
Sam Barnes was a good husband and a good father, but he had a serious problem—he would spend every night boozing with his friends. Sometimes his two little daughters, Ada and Jane would go after him to bring him home.
One bleak winter night, while the wind was sweeping fiercely along, the two little girls went out into the streets in search of their father. They had made up their minds that night that they would not go to bed before their daddy was home.
The fierce wind almost drove them back, but they tightly clasped each other’s hands, and, bending their little forms to meet the pressure of the cold, rushing air, they hurried on as fast as they could, along the dark and deserted streets. At last they stopped before a tavern, over the door of which was a handsome gas-lamp, as well as a sign in large gilded letters. It was a strange place for little girls to enter, and at such an hour, but, after standing for a moment, they pushed open the green door, and stepped into a large and brilliantly lighted room.
“Well, now!” exclaimed a man who sat reading at a table. “Here are those babes again.”
The children stopped and looked at him hesitatingly.
“Come here, my little girls,” the man signed to them to approach.
“Are you looking for your daddy?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.” Replied Ada, the older daughter.
“Does your mother know you have come?”
“Yes, sir. She told us to go to bed, but we could not go until father returned; that’s why we came here first.”
The children’s faces brightened when they heard that he was there.
“He is at the other side of the room, asleep. I will wake him for you.” the kind man said.
It was not easy to arouse Mr. Barnes from his deep sleep. However, as soon as he opened his eyes and found that his two lovely daughters had each grasped tightly one of his hands, he was moved to tears.
“May God bless those little ones and give them a sober father and a happy home,” said the man who had helped them. “I hope the prayers of these children and their mother will not be in vain; God may yet turn his heart.”
The next evening, to the joy of the family, Mr. Barnes came home quite sober. The miracle for which the family had been praying had happened.
After dinner, while Ada and Jane were standing by him, he said in a low whisper.
“You shall never again have to go out at night to bring me home. There is a God in heaven who hears prayers. He is giving me strength to abominate the habit of drinking. I will never go to that cursed place again.”
As the girl’s eyes, which were lifted to his face, seemed to indicate that they did not quite understand what he meant, he added.
“God helping me, I will not drink anymore. I will come home early and will always stay with you.”
Now understanding what their father meant, the two little girls hid their faces in his lap and wept for joy.
The prayers of the mother and the two little girls, the children’s love, and his trust in the power of God, saved Mr. Barnes from ruin and death through alcoholism. He continued to ask God to help him in his endeavors to live a sober life; and erelong it was seen that he was a changed man.
- Home
- Days Of Long Ago
- Farmer
- Cougar
- Three Men
- Dog
- I Will Return
- Esther
- Joseph Bates
- Martyr
- Courage And Strength
- The Dark Cloud
- A Prayer In The Dark
- Sabbath Of The Lord
- Kingly Shepherd Boy
- Man In The Philippines
- Heart Searching
- Companion In Trouble
- Book
- Willie
- Jonah
- Kitten and Cobra
- From Above
- Preacher A Thief
- Jolanta
- Glass Of Milk
- Dangerous Ice
- Marge
- Train Wreck
- Happy Family
- Beware
- What Next
- Revenge
- Preacher
- Thankful
- Angel By Me
- One Cord
- The Record
- Decision
- Susie Prayer
- Company Manners
- Company
- The Ballroom
- Make Plain
- Christ Our Refuge
- Slaughter
- Toms Trial
- Premium
- Caravan Starts
- Kind Word
- Another Commandment
- Retired Merchant
- Novel Reading
- Just Before Generous
- Quicksand
- Light In Darkness
- What Shall Profit
- Within Your Means
- Wrong Pocket
- My House Our House
- Mountain Prayer Meeting
- Rescue At Sea
- Only A Husk
- Ruined
- Was Blotted Out
- Never Indorse
- A Life Lesson
- Hard Times Conquered
- Good Lesson Spoiled
- Prayer For Pirates
- Grandmothers Room
- School Life
- Benevolent Society
- Instructive Anecdote
- Didnt Smoke
- Scenery Trip
- The Young Musician
- Lymans Testimonial
- Unforgotten Words
- Herrings For Nothing
- Bread Upon The Waters
- Miracles In Africa
- Rift In The Cloud
- Reward Of Perseverance
- Ricest Man
- Over The Crossing
- Mother Prayer
- Fence Story
- Drugs And Why
- In My Place
- Infidel Captain
- Jewels
- Nellie Altons Mother
- Dangerous Doors
- Heart Has Sorrow
- The Open Door
- Weeping
- Evening Prayer
- Happy New Year
- Rowena And Pills
- Scripture Quilt
- Speak To Strangers
- The Lost Bag
- Fire
- The Majors Cigar
- Creation Story
- Little Sisters
- He Stood The Test
- Widows Christmas
- A Will Joe
- Large Oak Tree
- Scene In A Saloon
- Look To Your Thoughts
- Andys Hands
- For Whom
- Infidels Converted
- The Perfect Helper
- Arrested For Christ
- Twenty-Three Miles
- Left To Die
- Boy Of New Guinea
- Winifreds Party
- Fjord And Ferry
- Working With Him
- Clock Struck Thirteen
- Kant And The Robbers
- Can And Could
- Wormy Puffball
- Neds Trust
- King Snakes
- Maggies Lost Cat
- Act Of The Will
- Home For Harry
- Set Free
- Door To Door
- Hard To Reach
- Reaching A Muslim
- Bears
- Bushman story
- Milk Pan
- A King Is Born
- Hailstorms And Horses
- The Unbeliever
- Man With A Past
- Disarming Dog
- Broken Bone
- Angel Over Tent
- Cow Got Stuck
- Brave Girl
- Boat And Raft
- Battles
- Taking My Picture
- Moderation
- Miss Clancy
- School
- Golden Gate
- Morning Star
- All The World
- Mountain Children
- Six Years Old
- Greatest Gift
- God's Love In Affliction
- Zacchaeus
- Letter From China
- Angel Hand
- Angry Mob
- A Daughter's Prayer
- Deliverance
- Dog That Watched
- Footprints In Snow
- Prayer Of Faith
- Urgent Voice
- Watchmen
- Where's Your Friend
- Never Give Up
- By The Window
- Little Lamb
- Sea Stars
- Good Foundation
- Wandering Glider
- Tough Roots
- Trust Jesus
- Build A Bridge
- Oilbirds
- Potatoes
- Honeybee
- Stormy Night
- Shabbat In Lvov
- Hospitality
- Alone With Wolves
- Elephant Lifesaver
- Angel's Hand
- Angel On Patrol
- In The Night
- Sierras
- Someone Helped
- Mission To Portland
- Food From Heaven
- Sticky Situation
- Taking The Bite
- Soldier For God
- Beriberi Good Discovery
- Who Is King
- Rescuing Uncle Nat
- Modest Abe
- In The Mist
- Baton Rouge
- Baby Craze
- Miracle Water
- Out Of Control
- The Back 9
- The Bull Preached
- Speed Toward Trouble
- Miracle In Boston
- Bandits In The Night
- Nailed
- Arrested For Jesus
- Dog Sold A Book
- Enemies
- My Shoes
- Kidnapped
- Emergency
- Money Trouble
- Friends For Real
- Prickly Revenge
- Paper Carrier
- Baby Elephant
- Silent Culprit
- Triple Blast
- Strange Idea
- Seven Apples
- Crack In The Wall
- Miracle For Melianne
- Meet My Brothers
- In The Field
- Jellyfish
- Greetings From Florida
- Trapped In An Oven
- Outnumbered
- Kingdom Of Ants
- Rustlers
- Cornmeal Answer
- Awakened By Rattlesnake
- Meerkats
- Christmas Plan
- Stampede
- Saving Twins
- Dead Man Talk
- Hurricane Warning
- Treasure In Wales
- Test Of Faithfulness
- Fernando Stahl
- Grouchy Mrs C
- Behind Enemy Lines
- Buried At Sea
- Miracle In The Surf
- Charming Nancy
- Mountain Of Fear
- Trail To Freedom
- Forbidden Village
- Leather hat
- Midst Of Danger
- Jungle Missionaries
- Bluebells
- Call To Kayata
- Gossip Story
- We Have Hope
- Kindness Repaid
- Cuttlefish
- Rescued
- Little Child
- The Potter
- Hands
- Willie's Story
- Kindness Of A Stranger
- Kindness Pays
- My God Hears
- Freedom's Shore
- Light In The Darkness
- Robbers Repent
- Datu's Dream
- Helped By An Angel
- Freedom In Jesus
- Peace In Jesus
- Convert
- Changed Heart
- A Child's Song
- Fasting
- Escape
- God's Money
- Vision Of Love
- Just A Minute
- From A Friend
- Power Of Influence
- Bouquet Of Gods Love
- Divine Love
- Caught By Christ
- God's Wings
- Little trees
- Stuck In The Closet
- Mad Dog
- Lone Flight
- Becky's Flowers
- Drummer Boy
- Crossing The Street
- Fire Chief
- Clock Struck Ten
- Earthquake
- Sold
- Where's The House
- It's Broken
- Rain And Flood
- Vacation Brakes
- The Very Smallest
- Angel Power
- Delayed Not Denied
- Two Chairs
- Count And The King
- No Theology Degree
- How The Prophet Felt
- Unsharpened Knife
- Horse Sense
- Prayer Is Real
- Learn Instantly
- Little Indian
- Heaven's Guard
- In Advance
- Three Dreams
- Father Knows Best
- Voice Of An Angel
- Across The World
- Without Leaving Home
- Tiger On The Trail
- Sharpened By Sword
- The Unseen
- Shoe Repair Shop
- Telegraph
- Two-Week Hideout
- Liberty
- King And The Girl
- Busy Spider
- Dogs And More
- Brave Man
- Protecting Hand
- Lost Carabao
- Poisoned In Tibet
- She Loved Her Lord
- The Letter
- Angel In A Boat
- Believing Prayer
- Touch Of Angel Hands
- So Many Lights
- An Ant Did It
- Big or Little
- How Much Water
- Shingles
- Miracle In India
- Night Visitor
- Without Realizing It
- Six Little Girls
- Home Invasion
- Only One Key
- Thunder At Eight
- Credentials
- In The Fire
- Grace
- Fire Inferno
- Gave Mother A Message
- Granny Gets Baptized
- Kirkland
- All She Suffered
- Chinese Adventures
- Twice Delivered
- Africa
- Labor Of Love
- Map On The Wall
- New Year Connecting
- Gentle Giant
- A Prisoner
- Prayer
- God's Power
- Raised Spear
- New Church
- Exciting Work
- The Great Physician
- Track Indians
- Perseverance
- Honest Confession
- Delivered From Alcohol
- The Wanderer's Prayer
- Singular Will
- Inspiration In My Work
- Ears That Hear
- Stepmother
- Colporteurs
- When Mother Is Gone
- Expected Miracle
- God Is Not Mocked
- Survive A Freezing River
- Hell On Earth
- With The Green Cover
- Bad News
- The Stowaway
- Power In God's Word
- Grandfather's Faithfulness
- Foes Or Friends
- Challenged Me
- Deadly Combination
- Face Death
- Journey To Happiness
- Keep It Holy
- Animal For Children Story
- Almost
- Hand Of God
- Never Let Go
- Could Have Been An Angel
- God And The Spider
- A Plucky Boy
- Strange Mechanic
- This Moses Was Black
- Relay For Life
- Angel Of Mercy
- Thanksgiving
- Buzzing Sounds
- Paid A Debt
- Morpho Butterflies
- Crutches On The Alter
- One Boy Did
- Don't Get Burned
- Save The Bibles
- Basket Of Coal
- Autumn Leaves
- Carl's Garden
- Courageous Visitor
- Miracle In The Mountains
- Amazing Orchids
- Good Neighbor Policy
- The Lord Will Provide
- Isaiah 53 5
- Playing For The King
- One Minute More
- Small Corners
- Surprise Package
- Child Shall Lead Them
- Guards Of The Lord
- The Winds Blow
- Snapping Turtle
- Three In A Row
- Tweety
- Coals Of Fire
- Chicken House Snake
- Love
- The Kinds Of Bears
- Moses The Cat
- Lost Not Forgotten
- Feathers
- Missionary Spirit
- Emperor Penguin
- The Brown Towel
- God Will Take Care
- A Prayer Weighs
- The Golden Windows
- Worship The Devil
- Myrmecophytes
- To Be Caught
- Tree Frogs
- Feathered Jewels
- Called To The Light
- Baby Duck
- The Big Six
- Birthday Card
- Rescue At Night
- Fish Cleaning
- Fishing
- Dragons
- Chain Gang
- Troglomorphic Fish
- Mother's Love
- Mammalian Aviators
- Ocean Giants
- Tom's Revenge
- God Is Seen
- Spare Moments
- Shorebirds Talents
- Cobra In The Closet
- God Made Me Too
- The Choice
- Shining Face
- Taking Aim
- And I Wept
- Latchkey Was Out
- God Made Wonders
- The Kitten
- Don't Go To Church
- Rajeshwari
- Manna From Heaven
- Red Marbles
- Attractive But Deadly
- Boardman's Deliverance
- Escape By Prayer
- Deliverance Of Clarke
- God's Mercy
- Does A prayer Weigh
- Something Better
- Make An Overpass
- Laddie The Leader
- Book Mobile
- Shut Up With A Bible
- Tripped By An Angel
- Martyr's Mirror
- Muriel's Bright Idea
- The Ship's Crew
- A Stormy Night
- Strength Of Clinton
- Three Stages
- Trapped
- A Favorite
- Mother's Day Disaster
- The Little Latchkey
- Stuck On The Mountain
- Learned To Pray
- Faith That Never Dies
- On The Road
- Martyrs For Jesus
- Errand Boy
- Killer Bees
- Beautiful Farm
- Put To Flight
- Hurricanes
- Relief Of Leyden
- The Christian Dog
- Angel Report
- Persecutor To Persecuted
- Charles Tells His Story
- Love Story
- Grandma's Birthday
- Prepared Heart
- Revolution
- Lady In Japan
- Bandidts
- Lightening
- By Tempest
- Pray To Jehovah
- Elements Overrule
- Widow And The Priest
- Turning The River
- Trusting Jesus
- Happy Home
- Mad Elephants
- One Black Spared
- Christian Mechanic
- Bible And Magic
- Children Poems
- Siberia
- Stories
- Narrow Escape
- Interposition
- Pushed The Car
- Tennent In A Trance
- Have A Nice Weekend
- What Love Can Do
- Angel's Work
- Forbidden Book
- Jimmy And Grandpa
- Katie's Tongue
- Mabel's Dream
- Maple Syrup
- The Long Road
- Things That Spread
- Love Your Enemies
- Vision
- Boy And His Boarder
- Dog Saved A Crew
- Prison Door Open
- A Boy Lived Again
- God Chose One Weak
- Anne Askew
- Zinzendorf
- Hottentot Boy
- Cry For help
- Livingstone
- Elements Work
- Fugitives Delivered
- Forsaken Idol Tree
- Chinese Heart
- Out of Darkness
- Steps Of Faith
- Get The Captives
- Help In Formosa
- In Pondoland
- Boxer Uprising
- Basuto Raiders
- Flash Of Lightning
- Providential Gale
- Deliverance In Nicobars
- Restraining Hand
- Friends For Jesus
- Special Project
- Did Not Laugh
- Radio Station
- Run To Church
- Curious Carla
- Mango Tree
- Louisa's Lunch
- Red Motorbike
- Refuse To Pray
- Mopane Tree
- No Longer Bored
- Runaway Goats
- Letter From God
- Sad Little Duku
- Basile's Discovery
- Singing Band
- Boy's Witness