We were living in a fairly large apartment complex on Winona Street in San Diego. My son was probably 15-18 months old at the time. To get to the street from our apartment, we had to climb up a hundred steps (it seemed that many). At the time, I considered that a plus not only for exercise purposes on my part but for providing learning-to-count environment for Mike. We would count every step going up or down. Needless to say he learned to count early in life.

It was around this time that I had accepted and embraced a new Biblical truth--the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment. "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt not do any work, etc."  I had researched it and found out that this Sabbath commandment is a part of the Moral Law of God that was in effect from everlasting to everlasting, long before there was a Jewish nation and is binding upon Christians today. Not that keeping the Law would earn salvation, because it never would apart from the merits of the blood of Jesus. We keep the Law to show our love to God by being obedient to His commandments. John 14:15 says "If you love me, keep my commandments" and 1 Sam 15:22 says "To obey is better than sacrifice."

It was Friday, the preparation day, and I had to do all the chores around the apartment--cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, etc.-- before the Sabbath. I had done most of the work during the last couple of days except for one thing which I had inadvertently overlooked, which was probably the most important thing that I should have done first. Mike had run out of clean cotton diapers, would you believe it and of all days! To make matters worse, I did not have any loose change to do laundry. I would need to hustle and get to the bank quickly. How am I going to do this? I asked myself greatly perplexed. At the time I didn't have a car, and I had no change for the bus fare. The bank was located five or six blocks away--too far to walk with an 18-month old toddler. I was pondering my dilemma when I heard a knock on the door.

There were four or five young children asking if they could play with Mike. Sure, you can play with Mike I told the children. As they were playing I noticed one little girl, maybe three years old, with two quarters in her hands. This is my chance, I thought, I will borrow her .50 cents and pay her back double when I get back. She can't beat that rate of interest anytime, anywhere. I explained my situation to her big sister, a five-year old, and she wholeheartedly agreed with me. She explained it to her little sister, and she handed me the money, but then she started to cry. Big tears were rolling down her chubby cheeks. I gave her back her money, and Mike and I headed out the door to walk to the bank.

Time was of the essence for the Sabbath draweth nigh. Walking to the bank would take a while not taking into consideration doing the laundry after I got back. I was concerned that I would not be able to finish all this in time for the Sabbath.

We climbed up the hundred steps to get to the street above. Half a block away was the bus stop. If only I had 35 cents, we would take the bus and our problem would be solved. By now tears were streaming down my face. I heard the familiar sound of the bus at a distance coming our way. The bus stop was just ahead, but I didn't have the 35-cents bus fare. More tears. Wait a minute, what's that shining on the ground? I blinked my eyes to see clearly. There were 35 cents, yes, a quarter and a dime, on the ground. I couldn't believe my eyes! Why, the Lord sent us 35 cents just in time to get on the bus!

My heart was filled with gratitude and praise. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for providing for my need at a time when I was new and weak in the faith. You have strengthened and encouraged me in my walk with you.