Memory Verse

“Rejoice the soul of Thy servant, for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.” —Ps. 86:4

Dear Grandchildren,

We were nearing the end of our tour in the United States. We sang not only in churches, but also on college campuses, and for groups like the Men’s Breakfast Clubs, Women’s Missionary Societies, and some secular organizations as well. Many times instead of going to hotels for the night, people would take us to their homes for a day or more. One of our very memorable stops was Muskingum College in Ohio.

In early April, we gave a concert on Muskingum campus where Dr. Montgomery was the president. I stayed in the home of Dr. Montgomery’s mother, who was quite elderly and was a widow. The day before we gave our concert, Dr. Jaroshevich said to me: “Tomorrow, when Dr. Montgomery comes to visit his mother I want you to come downstairs and ask Dr. Montgomery for permission to enroll at this college.” Just like that! Can you imagine how frightened I was to even think about it? But he added, “You pray about it.”

Oh, how I prayed! I took my Bible, opened it to Psalm 86, and with the Psalmist, I poured my heart out to God.

“Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and hear me for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am holy. O Thou my God save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord for I cry unto Thee daily. Rejoice the soul of Thy servant, for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul” (Ps. 86:1-4).

This particular Psalm was one that our choir sang. Listening to it, one could not be indifferent. The words and the melody were heartrending, and many who understood the Russian language listened to this Psalm with tears in their eyes. I spent most of the night praying and often repeating: “Hear my prayer, O God. Incline thine ear to me.”

When you feel poor, and so unworthy to ask the Lord for things that seem so impossible, then take hold of God’s promises like you never have before!

The next day was the longest day that I remember. I was upstairs in my room when the doorbell rang. My heart began to pound so loud that I thought everybody downstairs could hear the sound. Then I heard a knock on the door to my room, and Dr. Jaroshevich saying, “We are here. Come down in five minutes.”

When I came down, Dr. Montgomery said to me, “Well, Jadwiga, what can I do for you?” (At least, that’s what I thought that he said. I didn’t know English that well.) Dr. Jaroshevich whispered, “Tell him that you want to come to this college.”

I told Dr. Montgomery this, and got scared when I heard my own voice. I didn’t sound like myself at all. Dr. Montgomery said, “Tell me something about yourself first.”

I told him how my father died when I was four, how my mother sent my sister Olga and myself to the orphanage to save us from starvation, and how my baby sister starved to death because there was nothing for us to eat after we left Russia. Dr. Jaroshevich translated. While I was talking, Dr. Montgomery’s mother began to cry. Seeing this, Dr. Montgomery was touched. He said, “You may come to Muskingum College in the fall of September 1937—if you learn the English language.”

What a challenge! This was April 1937. I had lots of time, I thought. But the first thing that I did was to run up to my room and get down on my knees and thank the Lord for doing this wonderful thing for me. Oh, how I loved the Lord and how I loved Dr. Jaroshevich and Dr. Montgomery. I was so happy that I wanted to tell the whole world!

But I couldn’t tell the whole world, because when the other choir members heard of my acceptance to Muskingum College, they were very displeased. They treated me as though I was not one of them anymore because I was going to stay in the U.S. while the rest of them returned to Poland. Their attitude really did hurt, and I felt the sting of ugly jealousy. It made me feel sad that I could not share my joy with them. But I did with my Lord. It made me draw even closer to Him.

—Grandma Nadzia

Questions

1. What does is mean to “lift up” your soul?

2. It is good to ask God for the things we want, but it is also good to thank Him, Nadzia remembered this. Do you always remember?