Family Story Hour

Our family just finished reading Alan Paton's Cry the Beloved Country and is searching hard for the next book to start reading for our evening family devotions. We have enjoyed many books through the years and since it takes a while to read an entire story outloud, we tend to have quite the intense family discussion every time that there is a vacancy for a new position. Dad brought home The Last of the Mohicans from the library today, but received some critical feedback from Caleb who said that he already knew the ending. I was hoping to read a book by George MacDonald, but the library didn't have many of his works, so I am currently awaiting an arrival from Interlibrary Loan. In the meantime, Dad pulled out a compilation of short stories called, Tell Me A True Story. The book was written for children, but I have found that I have an increasing love for children's stories, and the story we read was no exception.

Dad turned to the story of George Mueller, a nineteenth century man of faith who worked extensively to create a Christian home for orphans. This particular story found Mr. Mueller on a bridge speaking to the captain of the ship. The story was short so I will relay it below:
"Captain, I have come to tell you I must be in Quebec by Saturday afternoon."
"It is impossible," said the captain.

"Very well, " said Mueller, "if your ship cannot take me, God will find some other way--I have never broken an engagement for 57 years. Let us go down into the chart-room and pray."

The Captain wondered which lunatic asylum Mueller had come from. The Captain had never heard of such a thing being an answer to a physical impossibility.

"Mr. Mueller," he said, "do you know how dense this fog is?"

"No, my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God, who controls every circumstance of my life."

Mueller then knelt down and prayed such a simple prayer, that the Captain thought it would be more fitting coming from a children's class "Oh Lord," he said, "if it is consistent with Thy will, remove this fog in five minutes. Thee knows of the engagement Thou hast made for me for this Saturday. I believe it is Thy will."

When he had finished the captain was about to pray, but Mueller put his hand on his shoulder, and said, "Do not pray. First, you do not believe He will remove the fog, and second, I believe He has, and there is no need whatever for you to pray about it."

The captain looked at Mueller in amazement.

"Captain," he continued, I have known my Lord for 52 years, and there has never been a single day that I have failed to get an audience with the King. Get up, captain, and open the door, and you will find the fog has lifted."

The captain walked across to the door and opened it. The fog had lifted. On Saturday afternoon, George Mueller was in Quebec.