Stranded and Alone

“My body and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart for ever.” — from Psalm 73

Back in Scotland, Mary looked after baby Janie and spent time with her mother and sisters. Baby Janie had been named after Mary’s youngest sister, who was also called Janie.

Then Mary’s sister Janie became very ill, and the doctors said only a warmer place might help. So Mary moved her sister and mother to Topsham, in the south of England. Then her other sister, Susan, died suddenly. Mary had to look after everyone.

Mary wanted to go back to Africa. She asked her mother whether she would let her go even further, to places where no missionary had ever been. Her mother said, “You are my child, given to me by God, and I have given you back to Him. When He needs you and where He sends you, there I would have you be.”

Mary sailed back to Calabar in November 1885. On New Year’s Day she began a long, happy letter home. It ended, “Tell me all your troubles, and be sure you take care of yourselves.” But no answer ever came. Her mother had died in December, just weeks after Mary sailed. Three months later, her sister Janie died too.

Mary was very, very sad. On the night she heard about her mother, she still led the prayer meeting, and she told no one. Later she wrote, “Heaven is now nearer to me than Britain, and no one will be anxious about me if I go up-country.”

Soon Mary’s home in Creek Town was full of children again: little Janie, rescued twins, and other boys and girls. Once a baby was brought whose mother had died. Mary asked the baby’s owner to lend a woman to feed it. The answer came back: “Let it die.” But Mary did not. She let it live.

When we are very sad, God does not tell us to stop crying. He stays close, and he is our strength when we have none left.

Dear God, thank you that you are with me when I am sad. Please comfort everyone who misses someone they love. Amen.