THE BLUE FROCK.

This was a special day for Mary.  Her children hurried off to school leaving her to prepare for her visit to the city.  She smiled when she entered the nine o’clock bus.

The bus travellers glanced at the short, smiling, fair-haired lady.  Her face shone with the anticipation and excitement of her trip. 

Mary recognised her friend, Jill, who shifted across the aisle to share the seat with her.

‘How can you be out so early, Mary?’ laughed Jill, who had left her small children with a kind neighbour,  With five children it was not always easy for Mary to leave early for a visit to the city. 

‘I need a dress,’ she confided.  ‘It was my birthday last week, And Steve gave me money to buy the nicest dress I could find. Wasn’t that kind of him?’

‘Lucky you,’ envied Jill.  ‘What colour will you choose?’

Mary’s blond hair and blue eyes just asked for a blue frock, and as well blue was Steve’s favourite colour.

‘It is not easy to find something at a good price,’ went on Jill.      She sighed as she thought of all she intended buying.  She envied Mary, not because she coveted a new dress, but because of her serene nature.

‘I prayed about my dress, Jill,’ Mary said. ‘I asked the Lord to help me find a garment at a reasonable price.’

Jill looked surprised.  ‘I didn’t know that prayer was for shopping expeditions.  I thought you had to pray when you were in trouble.  Does God care what I wear?’

Mary smiled.  ‘ I pray about everything, Jill.  I ask God to help me make the right decisions and choices.’

‘Do you think you can walk into the first shop and see the exact dress as soon as you go in?’ answered Jill, rather sarcastically.

‘That could happen, but it is not always like that.’

‘Well,’ laughed Jill, ‘Ring me tonight and tell me what happened today.  I hope you get what you want, and not some dowdy dress you feel you have to buy so you can say God led you.’  It was time for Jill to alight from the bus, and she waved a friendly goodbye to Mary.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .   .  .  .

‘Good morning.  Can I help you?’ greeted the pleasant girl behind the counter at the frock shop.

‘Yes.  I am looking for a light-weight blue frock,’ said Mary. So the assistant led her to a rack of frocks with varying styles with blue patterns.  As Mary held each frock against her for the effect, the shop assistant disappeared.   Two minutes later she returned with a dress over her arm.

‘Oh, how beautiful,’ and Mary longingly fingered the soft material.  ‘But that couldn’t be for me.  It would be far too expensive.’

‘Try it  on.  Actually it is cheaper than those frocks.  It was cut with narrow shoulders which usually do not fit your size.  But with your shoulders and short waist line I am sure it will fit you. Try it on.’  And she led Mary to the change-room.

Mary was excited.  Could this be the answer to her prayer?  It was not often that she indulged in the luxury of a bought frock, and if so there were often necessary alterations.  But the frock fitted her perfectly, while the blue colour shone in her eyes.  Tears trickled down Mary’s cheeks.

‘Don’t you like it?’

‘Like it!’ gasped Mary.  ‘It is wonderful.  But the price – I cannot believe it is so reasonable.’

‘Well, I would say it is your lucky day.  We reduced the price when no one seemed to fit into it.’

‘It is not luck but prayer,’ quietly Mary confided.. ‘ I asked God to guide me and He has.  Thank you for helping me find this beautiful dress.’ Mary knew how pleased Steve would be with her purchase.

Mary walked from the dressing room, paid for the frock, and with sincere appreciation of the assistant, she left.

As Mary hurried off carrying her purchase, she remembered Alison and Malcolm’s visit to dinner that night.  She anticipated a special time, but she little realised how costly it would prove.  Now Mary walked along to the bus stop with her precious parcel.   As she passed another store, she thought of Alison, and her soon return to missionary service.  As her own frock coat cost less than she expected, why not buy something for Alison.  Some thing serviceable, and easily washable for Alison’s life in the tropics.

Mary walked into the store to find dozens of dresses hanging on racks. Mary chose a dress suitable for Alison in a hot climate.

At home later that afternoon Mary began to prepare the special evening meal.  She encouraged her children to finish their homework before setting the table for Mum, and peeling the vegetables to accompany the baked chops.  Mary also needed sufficient time before her guests arrived to change into her 

New, blue frock.  

As she hurried to her bedroom, to her surprise, the door bell rang.  ‘Oh, they are early,’ thought Mary, as she returned to open the door to Alison and Malcolm, whom she welcomed with a friendly embrace.

‘How wonderful to see you,’ they each called excitedly.  They had been friends since the night of their conversion to Jesus Christ.  Alison and Malcolm eventually answered God’s call to Africa, while from home Mary and Steve supported and prayed for their dear friends.

‘We couldn’t resist coming early, Mary, to spend as much time as possible with you and Steve.’

‘Come in, and welcome,’ and the visitors knew that in this home they were loved.

It was a happy time over the dinner table … but Mary felt uneasy.  Something pricked at her mind.  Several times she looked across at Alison, who looked well and healthy, despite bouts of malaria.  Yet Alison and Malcolm expressed delight at returning to Africa.

While she prepared the pot of coffee memories stirred in Mary’s mind.  She remembered the farewell and commissioning evening for these two dear friends prior to their flying overseas.  She pictured Alison that night as she told of God’s call.  Why, that must have been six years ago.  At once, Mary realised the reason for her concern. Alison’s dress was the same one which she wore that farewell night.  How often had she worn and washed the dress that now looked neat but faded.

After the meal Steve and Malcolm kindly washed the dishes.  So Mary took Alison to see her new frock.  She longed to tell Alison how God answered her prayer that morning regarding the dress. The parcel with the other frock lay unopened on the bed ready to give to Alison.

But Mary remembered her mind’s struggle during the meal.  Suddenly she understood the reason. It was as though a voice suggested to her ’give the blue frock to Alison.’ It was Steve’s gift to her.  How could she give it to someone else?  ‘Give it to Alison.’

As Alison walked into the bedroom she saw the beautiful blue frock. ‘Oh’, she gasped, as she generously continued, ‘What a delightful frock.  You will look simply stunning in it.’

Mary decided, no matter what Steve might say.  For a moment there was a silence, and with a willing heart, Mary sacrificed her birthday gift.

‘It is for you, Alison.’

‘For me.  For me,’ Alison squealed with joy.  ‘It is the most beautiful dress of my life. ‘  She threw her arms around Mary and cried.   ‘Oh, Mary, you do not know what you have done for me.  Sometimes, I get discouraged, and wonder if people back here really care about us, or even remember us. Oh, this joy is almost more than I can bear.’ 

Alison thought for a moment.  ‘I have had lots of pre-loved clothes and practical frocks given me, and I am grateful.  But I longed for one best frock to wear, because Malcolm and I like to make Sunday a special day. ‘

By this time Mary was in tears, too.  The ever-so-practical frock parcel lay on the bed , unopened, unnoticed.  Alison was so elated and Mary so glad she listened to God’s voice that prompted her to give with love and without hesitation the frock which God provided that morning.  He knew Alison’s need.  It was a  sacrifice Mary willingly made for her Lord, and the enjoyment of her dear friend, Alison.

Mary lost nothing.  She shared her friend’s pleasure, while answering her Lord’s challenge.  She rested in the security of her husband’s deep affection, and man-like, he liked the practical frock more than Mary anticipated.

And what a story to tell when Jill rang to hear the events of the day.  

The peace of God from heart obedience far outweighs material or earthly possessions.

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A TRUE STORY.