God Hears Our Cry

Psalm 118:13-14 – I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. (NIV 2011)

I enjoy discovering stories of our history, and while I was writing the book "Historic Sussex", I found the following story that reminded me of what God has done for His children.

The date was September 15, 1944, and the heat in the hills near Coriano, Italy, was unbearable. A number of Canadian soldiers were working to repair some tanks that had broken down during the latest exchange of gunfire. As the soldiers worked through the night, a loud noise, something like a scream, startled them. The men investigated and discovered a tiny, three-to-four-month-old filly amongst the dead livestock littering the countryside. The foal was still living, but bleeding from injuries caused by shrapnel entering her stomach. She had been in the pasture for some time, for she had worn a path around the body of her dead mother.

Lance Sergeant Gerald Kelly of the 8th Hussars, along with a number of other Canadian soldiers, treated the injured animal and decided to try to keep her — no easy feat for an animal of this size in the midst of a battle. Perhaps the filly reminded them of the role of horses in the 8th Princess Louise's Hussars, their cavalry unit in New Brunswick, where horses were a part of their proud history. Suddenly, the soldiers had a new goal, one that added purpose in their dismal, war-torn lives. A defenceless animal needed their attention in order to survive. They gave the filly the name of Princess Louise, after Queen Victoria's fourth daughter. After the war ended, Princess Louise I became the company's mascot and followed her heroes to New Brunswick where she was reunited with the men who had saved her life and protected her.

When troubles come our way and we feel like the darkness of night has closed in around us, when we find ourselves going around and around in circles, we can turn to God for help. He will send His Spirit to comfort, guide, and support us. A verse that has helped me during the challenging times in my own life is:

Isaiah 42:16 – I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear God, sometimes life's challenges cause us, Your children, to suffer both emotionally and physically. Remind us that You hear our cry for help; You hear our prayers and are there to save and protect us from harm. Amen.

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