No Matter What it Cost Me

Library of Congress - A farm worker's home 1941 Idaho.

When we first moved to Vermont from Massachusetts, I had just gotten out of the hospital for severe physical problems. I had been a cancer patient years before and was undergoing tests and treatment for more difficulties. It was unbearable and I continued to suffer.

When we arrived in Vermont, to our newly purchased country store, Mr. White and I had a deal. I would help him, along with our children, for one year, then he would hire an employee to take over so I could tend to our home cares. This proved to be the most difficult year of my entire life. I am grateful I was right there with my husband and children. We lived above the store, and it was like one big house. But most nights, I would fall into bed in tears of agony. My frail body could not endure the trauma of so much work for very long. Or, so I thought...

After many months of this, I suddenly began to heal. Most of my pain was gone. I had become stronger. I had worked so hard, and the Lord had rewarded me with better health. I did my duty, no matter what it cost me.

I thought about this last night. I have been ill for several days. Just so weary. I was tempted to skip my Bible study. I was just about to fall asleep when I remembered something from the book, Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss. You see, the main character, Katy, was staying up late waiting for her husband to come home. In the room with her was her elderly father-in-law who had just arrived that day to live with them. He was depressed and sorrowful. His wife had died, and he felt like a burden. But he said something significant. He said something like: "At what hour does my son do family prayers?"  It was getting very late at night, and he dearly needed sleep. Katy told him not to worry, but to go on to bed. There was no need to wait for his son to come home. But he responded with something like this - "I will do my duty, no matter what it cost."  When I remembered this passage from the book, I was stung in the heart with conviction. I was startled out of my selfish stupor of being tired, and called for my Bible and record book. My dear 13-year-old son got them for me, and we sat down together and did our Bible time. We did this no matter how tired we were, or how sick I was. We did it no matter what it cost.

There is a beautiful quote from Jonathan Edwards:

 ~ “Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.” ~

Blessings,
Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

A Simple, Godly life with an eternal Perspective - Fighting the Money Seeking Mentality.

 Happiness while Living Frugally - Making Money Last.

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Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs. White's book -Mother's Book of Home Economics .  Paperback, 312 pages.