Setting: USA, early twentieth century
Summary: At twelve years of age, Lucy had almost entirely taken over the household responsibilities. With a mother going blind, a harsh father who works extremely hard to gather a few cents to feed the family, and six younger siblings, there is no other option and no way for Lucy to finish her education. But although Lucy wants more, her love for her mother and family keep her working and loving. The death of her baby brother due, at least in part, to her father's negligence, is a heart-breaking blow for Lucy. And just as heart-breaking is her father's refusal to allow her to attend Sunday School anymore. Lucy longs to understand more of the Word of God. She'd attended one revival meeting where she'd heard enough to know that she had strayed from God.
On a rare trip to town with her father, a young man approaches seventeen-year old Lucy, and converses with her. Thus begins a relationship which Lucy know must be kept in secrecy. Just after her next birthday, Tom and Lucy elope, leaving Lucy's mother distraught and her father furious. Her marriage to Tom was not all she had dreamed, especially the fact that he didn't like attending church with her although he had bought her a Bible. After two years of marriage, Tom is killed at the tavern and Lucy goes to stay with her aunt, her only Christian relative. The night that Tom was killed she had attended some revival meetings, had been saved and baptised and this peace helped her through the first few weeks of widowhood.
When Lucy hears that her mother has not long to live, she returns home for the first time. Just in time to hear her mother turn to Christ and to breath her last. She stayed with the family for a few months before returning to Aunt Polly's for the birth of her son, Eldon John. When her son is two months old, Lucy ventures out to find work to support her baby and herself. She is employed for a month by a family but when they come down with the measles she leaves to visit an old school friend. When she arrives she is struck with the measles and is very sick. It is a long recovery but while there she meets an old black woman who encourages her in the faith. She also meets her brother-in-law, Clem, who is now alone since Lucy's sister had run off from him.
Clem is struck by Lucy's beauty and personality and pursues a relationship with her. It is not long before he is determined to marry her (Flossie, Lucy's sister, has by now divorced Clem). Another crushing blow hits when Eldon John dies. Once she is back on her feet Lucy finds employment for 18 months. As her relationship with Clem deepens, Lucy's conscience continually pricks her. She seeks out advice about marrying a divorcee but even the minister does not condemn such an action.
Clem and Lucy marry and although Lucy is happy with Clem, she feels uneasy. Although she does not know why and has no longer a Bible to read she knows that some of the things she has given in to are not right. However, Clem has no desire to attend church and Lucy won't go alone.
Sorrows follow this couple continually, with many infants and toddlers dying in the family and Clem becoming an alcoholic, with the ensuing poverty. When Clem is struck by a train while drunk, Lucy is mortified. At 48, Clem is is critically wounded but on his deathbed finds forgiveness in Christ.
Finally, Lucy is able to attend a revival meeting where she find peace in Christ.
Message: From the unspeakable joy of learning to know Christ as her Saviour, Lucy stumbled through years of spiritual ignorance and despair until she found peace in Christ again. Her story reflects the goodness of God, patiently leading the thirsty to living water.
Other: This story is true. Lucy told her life story to the author in 1945 in the hope that young people might profit from her mistakes and that one soul may be saved through her testimony.
Reading level: 16 years to Adult
Paperback
Pages: 476
Size: 134 x 210mm
Christian Light Publications
Bible version: KJV
Also available in Spanish
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