Gladys Aylward, missionary to China more than 50 years ago, was forced to flee when the Japanese invaded Yangcheng. But she couldn’t leave her work behind. With only one assistant, she led a hundred-plus orphans over the mountains toward Free China.

During Glaydy’s harrowing journey our of war-torn Yangcheng … she  grappled with despair as never before. Ater passing a sleepless night, she faced the morning with no hope of reaching safety. A thirteen-year-old girl in the group reminded her of their much-loved story of Moses and the Israelites  crossing the Red Sea.

“But I am not Moses,” Gladys cried in desparation.
“Of course you aren’t,” the girl said, “but Jehovah is still God!”

Be on the lookout for symptoms of inner peace. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to inner peace and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world. Some signs to look for:

1. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
3. A loss of interest in judging other people.
4. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
5. A loss of interest in conflict.
6. A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
7. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
8. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
9. Frequent attacks of smiling.
10. An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
11. An increased susceptibility to the love offered by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

I was walking down life’s highway a long time ago.
One day I saw a sign that read, “HEAVEN’S GROCERY STORE.”

As I got a little closer the door came open wide,
and when I came to myself I was standing there inside.

I saw a host of ANGELS standing everywhere.
One handed me a basket and said, “My child, shop with care.”

Everything a  Christian needed was in that store.
If you didn’t have enough room in your cart, you could always come back for more.

First, I got some PATIENCE: LOVE was in the same row.
Further down was UNDERSTANDING; you need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of wisdom, a bag or two of faith.
I couldn’t miss the HOLY SPIRIT– it was all over the place.

I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE to help me run this race.
By then my basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed some GRACE.

I didn’t forget SALVATION, for SALVATION was free,
so I tried to get  enough of that to save both you and me.

Then I started up to the counter to pay my grocery bill.
I thought I had most everything to do the MASTER’S will.

As I went up the aisle, I saw PRAYER: and I just had to put that in,
for I knew that when I stepped outside, I would run into sin.

PEACE and JOY were plentiful; they were last on the shelf.
SONG and PRAISE  were hanging near, so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel, “How much do I owe?”
He smiled and said, “Just  take them everywhere you go.”

Again, I smiled and said, “How much do I really owe?”
He smiled again and said, “MY CHILD, JESUS  PAID YOUR BILL A LONG, LONG TIME AGO.”