O Shenandoah! By Faith Alone/October rose
O Shenandoah! By Faith Alone/October



Widely varied in size and structure, picturesque houses of worship cling throughout generations to the Valley's hills and hollers. There's an echo of faith in everyday conversation and an ancient devotion steels Shenandoah residents in courage, humor and grace as they struggle with weather-related and man-made catastrophes.




The Pretty Girl

By Eunice Soper



She was a lovely lass so neat and clean that apparently she was not long from the hands of her mother. Her face was shining. Her curls were brushed to a perfection that would not last long. Her dress was crisp and smooth. Her hands were full of freshly gathered flowers. She walked along carefully, with an awareness of her charm and her smart white slippers -- an air that stirred mischief in the breast of the lad playing in the sand nearby.

Quickly he gathered a fistful of dust and flung it at the little girl. It struck her skirt and drifted down over her white shoes.

For a moment anger fought with tears on the lovely face. Then came a lightning change. The flush of anger gave way to dimples, and the pout to a smile. Selecting a flower from her bouquet, the girl tossed it to the amazed lad.

There was swift surprise on the boy's face, then shame, which gave way to sorrow. He ran to the girl and with quick movements brushed the dust from her dress and shoes.

In the way of children they were soon laughing and chattering together, the best of friends. Up the street they went, with the boy carrying the flowers, leaving nearby spectators to think about the display of the power of forgiveness they had seen.

As "like begets like," so does forgiveness to others make friends of enemies. An enemy has a hard time staying an enemy in the face of a forgiving spirit. A harsh, unforgiving attitude cannot flourish in the atmosphere of love and forgiveness. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount asked, "If we love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?" In other words, Heaven's special rewards are for those who love the unloving.

Has someone wronged you? Let him know he is forgiven. Forgiveness may not right the wrong, but it will ease the pain and win a friend.


"Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven."
Luke 6:37.






Eunice Soper has written many devotional books, mostly for children. Semi-retired from professional service worldwide for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, she and her husband, Francis, radiate peace, strength and practical good-heartedness from their adopted home in the central Shenandoah Valley.













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"The Pretty Girl" © Eunice Soper, 1996. All rights reserved.