Tom used to go to school on crutches, but his problem was worse now. He could no longer go to school. He spent his days in an upstairs bedroom with no company except Grandmother who came home tired after a day’s work. She loved him lots, but she had no money to spare. His friend Jack used to come, but Jack had moved away.
“Granny,” said Tom one day, “I want some paper.”
She never said “no” if she could possibly say “yes,” so the next evening she brought Tom a good supply of paper and a pencil. Jack had already brought him a Bible, and Tom had found good news in it, too good to keep to himself. Now he had thought of a way of sharing that good news.
Carefully he folded a sheet of paper into four squares, and in each square he copied in his best writing one of his favorite verses from the Bible. In one square he wrote, “‘I know whom I have believed [the Lord Jesus],’ 2 Timothy 1:1212For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12).” In another square he wrote, “‘We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us,’ Romans 8:3737Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:37).” When each square was carefully torn off and folded, he wrote on the outside, “To the passerby. Please read.” Then he watched out the window, and as someone came by, he dropped one of his airmail messages.
Next day he heard someone coming up the stairs, and a young man walked into the room with a square of paper in his hand. He had read one of Tom’s messages, and it had sent him in search of a Bible to find out the meaning of the wonderful words written on the square of paper. He had continued reading, on and on in the Book, until he found that the Saviour of sinners was the answer to his soul’s need. But he wanted to find who was responsible for this way of spreading the message.
“Why do you do this?” he asked Tom.
And Tom’s answer is worth remembering. “Because I know Jesus,” he said, “and knowin’ is lovin’, and lovin’ is doin’. It ain’t love without.”
Do you understand Tom’s answer? Think about it. There are many, many children and grown-ups all around who are still lost in their sins. They need to hear the good news of God’s love and forgiveness for sinners. Ask God to show you ways that you can share the good news with them.
ML-01/01/1995