By Adam C. Olson

Church Magazines


When he needed help, Ezra, a 16-year-old in Samoa, turned where his father had taught him: to his Heavenly Father.

Ezra stopped paddling his small outrigger canoe and watched the sun sinking toward the Pacific on the other side of the bay. For years he had fished these waters with his father, but today he had trouble seeing the familiar sight through his tears.

Today he was alone.

As the canoe rocked gently on the water, he could hear the words his father had often spoken: "Watch carefully, Ezra. Someday when I am gone you will need to know how to support the family."

Today was the day his father had warned him about and tried to prepare him for. But it had come too soon. He was only 16. He wasn't ready.