09/23/2025
The Story of “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”
Sitting in the sand on a seaside holiday, Louisa Stead and her husband watched as their four year-old daughter played in the sunshine. However, out in the dark waves, they heard cries for help from a boy struggling to stay afloat. Her husband ran into the water to rescue him. But despite his efforts to bring the boy back to shore, both he and the child drowned. Shocked, grieving, and penniless, Louisa and her daughter struggled in the years that followed. The tragedy of her husband's death weighed heavily on her, both as a mourning wife and as the unexpected head of household. She didn't have money for food, and their hungry days passed slowly, sustained by a quiet faith in God's goodness in spite of their awful circumstances.
One day, Louisa reached the point of utter despair. However, as she was looking at her hungry child, she heard a sound at the door. Upon opening it, she found a solitary parcel on her front doorstep. Not seeing anyone around, she looked inside and discovered a small gift of food and money. Tears flooded her eyes and that same day she penned the words, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word."
Later on, Louisa and her daughter became missionaries in South Africa. Her life gives a powerful testimony of simple yet mighty faith in Jesus. Her story reminds us that, even in the scary and sad places, God is surely our salvation. We can "trust and not be afraid". Let us take Jesus at His word and believe that He will care for us.
