Expectation Corner

Expectation Corner; or, Adam Slowman, “Is Your Door Open?” by Emily Steele Elliott is a beautiful, timeless allegory of prayer, faith, expectancy, and life in God’s kingdom.

Adam, a resident of Redeemed Land, lives in needless poverty and isolation, struggling through life without ever asking his loving Landlord for help. While his neighbors live in joy, peace, and abundance, Adam’s home grows increasingly pitiful—not because provision is lacking, but because he has not learned to ask, watch, and receive.

With warmth and spiritual insight, Emily Steele Elliott depicts the beauty of relying on God and the necessity of active, expectant faith. This short story is both an encouragement to pray and seek God’s help and a tender reminder of His faithfulness and deep love for His children.

Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott (1836–1897) was an English Christian author, poet, hymnwriter, and editor whose writings encouraged generations of readers to trust God more deeply and live out their faith in everyday life. Born in Brighton, England, she grew up in a family shaped by Christian ministry, literature, and hymn writing. She later served for six years as editor of the Church Missionary Juvenile Instructor and devoted much of her life to missionary work, biblical teaching, and writing for children and families.

Through allegories, devotional stories, poetry, and hymns, Elliott presented profound spiritual truths in a warm, imaginative, and memorable way. Her works often explore prayer, perseverance, service, generosity, and confident faith in the promises of God.

Emily Steele Elliott also came from a distinguished Christian literary family. Her aunt, Charlotte Elliott, wrote the beloved hymn “Just as I Am, Without One Plea,” while Emily herself gave the Church the enduring Christmas hymn “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne.”

Though many of her books are less widely known today, their message of hope, faith, and devotion continues to speak to readers around the world.

The Sunday School Hive and Juvenile Companion (1878, Volume 30) is a 19th-century British periodical edited by Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott. It compiled moral stories, religious poetry, historical anecdotes, and natural history lessons aimed at children and young adults.

The Vendale Lost Property Office is a warm Victorian children’s story about Susie, a shy nine-year-old girl who is sent from India to live with her Uncle Eric, Aunt Mona, and cousins Johnny and Emma in England. Soon after her arrival, a visit to an actual railway lost-property office captures her imagination and becomes the central idea through which she begins to understand life’s many different kinds of losses.

At Vendale, Uncle Eric creates a playful family “Lost Property Office,” where the children are encouraged to think about things they have misplaced or wasted—not only umbrellas, keys, and toys, but also lost time, lost tempers, neglected duties, missed kindnesses, and opportunities that can never be recovered. Through family life, mistakes, adventures, and loving correction, Susie learns that some losses can be repaired, while others must teach us to live more carefully and faithfully in the future.

The story follows Susie and Johnny through a series of memorable experiences, including becoming stranded at Marleigh, meeting the kindly Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, confronting fear and uncertainty, and discovering the needs and sorrows of others. These events help the children grow in courage, compassion, responsibility, and faith.

A deep personal sorrow arises when Susie believes that her beloved father has died in India. Yet the story moves toward a joyful restoration, as what seemed permanently lost is unexpectedly found. In the closing reflection, the grown Susie looks back on her childhood and considers the preciousness of life, the importance of using every opportunity well, and the Christian hope that God will one day restore many things that appear lost forever.

Thou didst Leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room For Thy holy nativity: O come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, Proclaiming Thy royal degree; But of lowly birth cam’st Thou, Lord, on earth, And in great humility, O come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my heart for Thee.

The foxes found rest, and the birds had their nest, In the shade of the cedar tree; But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus! There is room in my heart for Thee. Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word That should set Thy children free; But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn, They bore Thee to Calvary. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus! Thy cross is my only plea.

When heaven’s arches shall ring, and her choirs shall sing, At Thy coming to victory, Let Thy voice call me home, saying, ‘Yet there is room, There is room at My side for thee.’And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest for me.