In God’s Hands

To Sabbath School teachers: This story is for Sabbath, June 1.

By Andrew McChesney

D

o you know the proper way to sit in a chair?

Khachik knew the proper way to sit in his highchair.

Khachik was a very small boy in the country of Georgia. But he knew that his bottom belonged in the seat of his highchair when he ate breakfast or lunch or supper. Mother always placed him in the seat of the highchair when it was time for breakfast, lunch, or supper.

But one day, Khachik decided to try something new.

Mother placed him in the seat of the highchair for a yummy supper of macaroni and sour cream. Khachik liked macaroni and sour cream very much.

But he thought that it might taste just a little better if he ate it while sitting on the arm of the highchair rather than in the seat as always.

Khachik wiggled out of the seat and took a seat on the arm. He liked his new freedom. His legs were no longer trapped below the small table holding his supper on the highchair.

Khachik also liked the new view. He looked around the room and he took a bite of macaroni and sour cream.

Suddenly, he fell backward.

Mother saw Khachik tumble from the arm of the highchair. She wasn’t too far away from him in the kitchen, but she was too far away to catch him.

Khachik landed on the floor and hit the back of his head hard.

Mother screamed and ran over to the little boy.

For a few minutes, Khachik didn’t move at all. His eyes were open and gazing vacantly to one side.

Mother wrapped the little boy in her arms and prayed.

“Help him, please,” she said. “God, give me back my son. I will never let this happen again.”

Time seemed to stand still.

WHAAAAAAAA!

Suddenly, Khachik began to cry.

When Mother heard the cry, it reminded her of how Khachik had cried when he was born.

It was like he had been born again.

Khachik looked Mother. His eyes were normal. He could see her perfectly. He didn’t remember what had happened. He only knew that his head hurt.

But Mother remembered what had happened. It had been a frightening experience.

She thanked God.

“Thank You, God, for waking my son up and giving him life,” she prayed.

Mother called the ambulance.

But when the ambulance arrived, the paramedics couldn’t find anything wrong with Khachik. Even though he had hit his head hard, he was fine.

“Let’s take him to the hospital just to make sure,” a paramedic said.

At the hospital, the doctor gave Khachik a clean bill of health. He was a healthy little boy with a slightly sore head.

After that day, Mother gained a new understanding of God. She understood that everyone’s life — Khachik’s life, her life, everyone’s life — is in God’s hands.

She is happy about that — and so is Khachik.

“My life is in God’s hands,” he said.

Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help open a health center in Georgia, where Khachik lives. Thank you for planning a generous offering on June 29.