"It didn't stop raining for forty days and forty nights," said the minister.   "Believe me when the water started to rise, Noah was glad he had followed God's instructions to build his ark."  

Freddy stopped swinging his legs and sat quietly.  

"Now this rain we are having is not like the Great Flood...although it may seem that way to some of you."  

The congregation laughed nervously.  

"Noah was saved because he was obedient to God...if we only could be just as obedient.  

Freddy nodded his head in agreement.  

"When the waters of the Great Flood started to recede, God sent a rainbow to Noah as a promise that another flood of those proportions would never come to the world.   This rain will stop.   You will get your crops planted.   Have faith and believe in God's promise.   It's not believing God can.   It's believing God will."  

Freddy heard a few people say, "Amen."  

When Freddy was ready for bed, Ma came in to tuck him in.   She pulled the covers up around his neck and bent down to kiss his cheek.  

"Don't forget to say your prayers," she reminded Freddy.   "And sleep tight."  

Ma turned out the light and closed his bedroom door.  

Freddy thought of all that Reverend Hudson had said in his sermon.   He slipped from his bed and knelt beside it.   He folded his hands and closed his eyes.  

"God, I try to be a good boy.   I help Ma and Pa all I can.   Please let the rain stop so that Pa can get his crops planted.   We need those crops God, so we can have money to live through the winter.   I promise...I will be more...obeadeaunt. Obeadement. Whatever that word it.   Thank you God, Amen."