A Parable of Providence

Early one winter morning, well before sunrise, a farmer sent his daughter to the barn to feed the cattle.

“I can’t go now,” the girl told her father. “It’s dark and I’m afraid. I’ll wait until it’s light outside.”

“The cows can’t wait,” the farmer replied. “You need to go now. I’ll help you.”

The two stood in the doorway of the farm house. “Can you see the porch steps in the moonlight?” asked the farmer.

“Yes, I see them.”

“Then go to the bottom of the steps.”

After the girl reached the bottom of the porch steps, her father asked, “Can you see the gate from there?”

“Yes,” she answered. “I can see it.”

“Then walk to the gate and pass through it.”

After the girl had done so, her father asked, ”Now can you see the path to the barn?”

“Yes,” the little girl said. “I can see the path in the moonlight.”

“Then follow the path to the barn doors,” said her father.

When she had walked down the path to the barn, the little girl called out, “I’m here! I’m at the barn.”

“Good,” said the farmer. “Now feed the livestock.”