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Stories by |
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I Will Guide Thee With Mine Eye |
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The dazzling morning sun darted through the crack in Jimmy's bedroom curtains, waking him with a start. It was the day of the police auction, and Jimmy was going to get a bike. He had been saving up for nearly a year and he had $80.00 that was just bursting his treasure-chest bank. He quickly threw on his clothes and ran to the kitchen. "Dad, when do we go? I do not want to miss getting one of the bikes that we looked at yesterday?." " Hold on there bud, it's only 7 am. You are up awful early for a Saturday." "Oh Dad, I know, but some of the guys were looking at the same bikes we were and I really need a bike." "Don't I know it, you've reminded me about this auction nearly every day for the past three weeks. I think we'll be alright, since the auction does not start until nine. Sit down with me and have your breakfast and we'll be there in plenty of time." "Dad, do you really think I can get one of the bikes we looked at with only 80 dollars, I mean some of them are like new." "I am sure if you remember the signals we worked out as to when you should and should not bid, we will do just fine. Don't you think that the Lord knows you need a bike? Don't you think He can provide the right bike if you just follow me?" Jimmy knew that his Dad was right. He knew that God doesn't just give you things without trusting Him and doing things the right way. He learned that if you trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not try to understand everything yourself, that he He will guide your steps as you give Him the credit for your life. He did not have to doubt, he knew that if he did right he would get his bike. He just had to trust and obey. After a good breakfast, Jimmy went to get his money. He sat on his bed and did a final count. "I worked hard for this," he said to himself. The auction was for kids 12 and under and they were to all be ready by nine. The bikes were all out where they could be seen. There were lots, Jimmy thought, but there were only a few that his Dad said were good to bid on. Some needed work that would cost too much for them to afford. Jimmy understood that money was tight. He knew that they had to be good stewards of the money that God had given them. Jimmy also noticed that there were a lot of kids there, a whole lot more than had come to view the bikes after school yesterday. "Dad, there are too many kids here, there's no way I'll get my bike." Jimmy pulled close to his Dad. "Don't worry, just trust me, and better yet trust God. Just watch for our signals and you will do alright. Take a look look around. There are a lot of kids here who have no one to guide them. I'll be just across the circle." With a tousle of Jimmy's hair, Dad left his side. The auction was about to start, so all of the parents had to step back. Jimmy kept an eye on his Dad as the first bike was brought up for bidding. Now, it was a wink to begin bidding and closed eyes to stop, thought Jimmy as he listened to the officer start the bidding. "All right kids, who'll start the bid on this little gem for 5 dollars?" Jimmy looked at his Dad and saw his eyes close. Right, Jimmy remembered, that bike had a twisted rim, probably got run over in some careless kid's driveway, his Dad had said. He would never do that. He had worked too hard for the money to do something stupid like that with his bike. The bike sold for only 25 dollars. Jimmy knew that someone was going to have some work on their hands. Maybe they can afford to fix it, or maybe they are not careful with their money. Jimmy knew that he had to be careful. Another bike came up for the bid. Jimmy looked to his Dad and saw him wink. Jimmy got in on the bidding right away. Up it went. 20 dollars, 30 dollars, 45 dollars, 60 dollars 75 dollars, then Jimmy bid his 80 dollars. He was so sure this was it. It was the best bike that he and his Dad had looked at. It was silver, with gold lightening streaked down the bars. The gears were smooth and the brakes were great. Then Jimmy saw it. Another boy raised his hand and the bike went up to 90 dollars. Jimmy was as deflated as the tires on the next bike that came up. He was glad that his Dad had closed eyes because Jimmy was too upset to bid. Then the officer brought out another bike. This one looks good Jimmy thought. I get how this works, I can just stop at 80 dollars. Jimmy focused on himself and how he knew what he was doing and he did not look to his Dad. The bidding got going and Jimmy jumped right in. Up and up the bid went and Jimmy waved his arm high for his 80 dollar bid. Then, to his surprise the officer yelled, "Sold" and pointed to Jimmy. Jimmy looked to where his Dad was standing, but he was not there. "Hey, where's Dad?" he mumbled. "I'm right behind you, let's go look at your bike," Dad said as he steered him through the group. Jimmy tried out his bike as his Dad stood back. "Hey what's wrong with this thing? The wheels are all wobbly and the brakes are stiff." Jimmy complained. "Why did you get me a broken bike Dad?" Jimmy accused. "You picked that bike, the moment you stopped watching my eyes. You didn't even see me walk away and come stand behind you. I would have stopped you if you would have just looked my way, but you just kept on with no thought of your guide." Dad explained. "But Dad, I saw how easy it was and figured I could do it myself. I guess I wasted my money, right?" asked Jimmy through wet eyes. " Well you have a bike, that needs work. That means more work for you. You will have to do extra chores and maybe some work for some neighbors. Are you ready for it?" asked Dad. "I sure am, and I guess I learned a lesson to right? I won't be such a smarty next time. I'll remember to follow you." "Well that's good, but you also need to remember to follow God. He says in His Word, in Psalm 32 verse 8, "I will instruct thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." "Hey, that
is just what you were doing, guiding me with your eye. I guess that is what
God had in mind when He wrote that verse. " Jimmy took his bike by the
handle-bars. "Well Dad, I guess I'd better get this home and get to work,
Mrs. Harding said she has some cleaning to do in her garage."
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