10 minute read
What resulted from Queen Esther’s well-timed
Activity RIGHT TIMING STORY
Supplies:
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Scissors A photocopy of this page
Instructions Give each child a photocopy of this page. Cut out the words in the word list. Quietly read the story below and arrange the words next to the story in the order you would fill in the blanks. Notice how a right action put in the wrong blank can become a wrong action because of timing. When you are finished, I will read the story aloud. I will pause for you to say the action you chose for each blank. (See page 12 for the answers.)
Right Timing Story
A little boy lived on a farm with his family. He _______ early in the morning and _______. He joined his family in the living room for devotions. During prayer time, he _______. Afterwards, while his father gave instructions for the day, the boy _______. He _______ to his sister to listen closely. When his father asked if he understood the instructions, he _______. Before he ran outside, he _______. During chore time, he _______ in the dirt. He _______ hard. Suddenly, he looked up and saw his little sister running toward the electric fence. He _______: “Look! The fence is on!” During playtime, he _______ with his sister and she _______ until she _______. They _______, _______, and _______. Mom asked him to deliver a dozen eggs to the neighbor across the road. Cars were rushing by, so he _______. After the boy delivered the eggs, his mom called him in for dinner. The road was clear. He _______. He went inside and _______ and _______ . They ate dinner. At bedtime, he _______. Was this boy cautious or not?
did handstands kicked a soccer ball dug potatoes
got out of bed closed his eyes brushed his teeth made his bed
took off his work boots waited to cross the road acted like a clown
whispered put on his work boots washed his hands
Hymn History
“Eternal Father, Strong to Save” Sing “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” by the hymn writer William Whiting and read how the Navy practices cautiousness today with the use of meteorological equipment.
The drenched, terror-filled sailor clutched the helm. As another angry billow crashed against the ship, the entire vessel shuddered violently and then dropped into the hollow of the next giant wave. The storm raged relentlessly. Experienced sailors cried aloud, clinging white-knuckled to the railings.
Also aboard was passenger William Whiting. He had committed his life to Christ years earlier. Awed by the powerful waves, he fervently, confidently petitioned the Master of the sea and wind.
Finally the damaged ship limped into port. The passengers and crew were battered, but alive! The experience seemingly echoed Psalm 107:23–29:
They that go down to the sea in ships . . . see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger . . . and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Sometime afterward, a student approached Mr. Whiting, who was a headmaster in England. The youth told of a time when he had stood on a dock, watching the turbulent ocean waves. He had been petrified to see their forcefulness. Now, in the headmaster’s office, he held in his trembling hand a ticket to sail to America. He was terrified of his upcoming voyage! Mr. Whiting encouraged the young man that even the strongest storm could not separate him from God’s care. As the student rose to leave, Mr. Whiting promised, “Before you depart, I’ll give you something to anchor your faith.” Keeping his word, the schoolmaster wrote a poem for the student’s voyage, titled “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”
English composer John B. Dykes paired these words with his tune, “MELITA,” named after the island of the Apostle Paul’s shipwreck. Published in 1861, by the end of World War II (1945), the hymn had become widely known as “The Navy Hymn.” It was even played at the funerals of three U.S. presidents who served with the U.S. Navy: Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy, and George H. W. Bush. William Whiting (1825–1878)
Cautiousness is “knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions.” Naval officers understand the importance of right timing. Weather-tracking devices keep them informed so they can respond with appropriate actions. Not practicing caution can bring disaster to a ship and those aboard. As we learn to be cautious, we will be better equipped to glorify God through our right actions carried out at the right time.
Eternal Father, Strong to Save John B. Dykes, 1823–1876 William Whiting, 1825–1878
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Hymn History Bibliography
Collins, Ace, Stories Behind the Hymns That Inspire America, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 2003, pp. 46–52.
Morgan, Robert J., Then Sings My Soul, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 2003, p. 137.
Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 More Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 1982, pp. 80–81.
2020 Biblical Character Illustrated Calendar Hymns for the Family CDs (“Eternal Father, Strong to Save” is sung to piano accompaniment on Volume 1.) The Power for True Success Understanding Spiritual Gifts Character Cards Character Cards Memory Game Character Sketches, Volumes 1–3 Achieving True Success “Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves” (Message by Larry Guthrie, available at embassymedia.com)
To view these resources and many more, visit us at:
store.iblp.org
A STORY OF A BOY WHO WAS CAUTIOUS A little boy lived on a farm with his family. He (got out of bed) early in the morning and (made his bed). He joined his family in the living room for devotions. During prayer time, he (closed his eyes). Afterward, while his father gave instructions for the day, the boy (was quiet). He (whispered) to his sister to listen closely. When his father asked if he understood the instructions, he (repeated the instructions accurately). Before he ran outside, he (put on his work boots). During chore time, he (dug potatoes) in the dirt. He (worked) hard. Suddenly, he looked up and saw his little sister running toward the electric fence. He (shouted): “Look! The fence is on!” During playtime, he (acted like a clown) with his sister and she (laughed) until she (cried). They (played), (did handstands), and (kicked a soccer ball). Mom asked him to deliver a dozen eggs to the neighbor across the road. Cars were rushing by, so he (waited to cross the road). After the boy delivered the eggs, his mom called him in for dinner. The road was clear. He (immediately crossed the road). He went inside and (took off his work boots) and (washed his hands). They ate dinner. At bedtime, he (brushed his teeth). Was this boy cautious or not?
A STORY OF A BOY WHO WAS NOT CAUTIOUS A little boy lived on a farm with his family. He (closed his eyes) early in the morning and (acted like a clown). He joined his family in the living room for devotions. During prayer time, he (laughed). Afterward, while his father gave instructions for the day, the boy (did handstands). He (shouted) to his sister to listen closely. When his father asked if he understood the instructions, he (was quiet). Before he ran outside, he (washed his hands). During chore time, he (kicked a soccer ball) in the dirt. He (played) hard. Suddenly, he looked up and saw his little sister running toward the electric fence. He (whispered), “Look! The fence is on!” During playtime, he (repeated the instructions accurately) with his sister and she (worked) until she (cried). They (took off his work boots), (dug potatoes), and (made his bed). Mom asked him to deliver a dozen eggs to the neighbor across the road. Cars were rushing by, so he (immediately crossed the road). After the boy delivered the eggs, his mom called him in for dinner. The road was clear. He (waited to cross the road). He went inside and (put on his work boots) and (brushed his teeth). They ate dinner. At bedtime, he (got out of bed). Was this boy cautious or not?
