Matthew Marlowe, an astute and wealthy Michigan businessman of the 1880A[a--a[s, suddenly finds his comfortable priorities threatened. He briefly encounters a young boy who is struggling to support an invalid mother and is reminded of the orphaned boy he once was. In a series of flashbacks he sees his life unfold before him, and realizes that he is perilously close to losing the things most dear to him: his marriage and the God-fearing way of life to which he had once committed himself. He is forced to remember the things he was taught by his pioneer grandparents, and the lessons he learned early from the tragedy that befell his family. He turns his life around, and in a story of courage, despair, joy, and faith he rebuilds his home life, learns to trust God when his son is kidnapped, and finally brings his family A[a--AhomeA[a--A to fulfilled dreams and hopes for the future.