It was long ago in the pioneer days. Rose played alone by the door of her log cabin. The dark pine forest seemed to fence her in, and she was wishing for the hundredth time that she had someone to play with. Suddenly, a little Native American girl came out from among the trees, walking all by herself, right toward her.
Rose was delighted. Smiles were better than words. Everything was new and wonderful for both of them, now that they could share things together. Her new friend’s name was Colombe, a gentle Native American child, and every moment they were together was special.
The afternoon passed quickly, and as the shadows grew long, Colombe turned to the forest path to leave. But Rose’s father would not let her go alone.
He knew the evening forest was full of hidden dangers, but the child walked ahead without a trace of fear. He followed along behind her to the edge of the forest, but stopped there. He felt, rather than saw, that the path was lined with the strong bodies and watchful eyes of braves who would guard her the rest of the way. She must be a chief’s daughter, he thought. There was no need to follow her any farther.
Colombe returned day after day, and Rose talked about her new friend all the time. They were best friends and they shared everything, and that is why one day Rose shared with her friend her Savior — Jesus! The One dearest to her heart must be shared with her friend, and Colombe understood. Her heart opened to the love of Jesus and she learned to pray to Him.
But there came a day when Rose watched and waited, and her friend did not come. Day after day she waited and then asked her father if he would please follow the forest path and see what had happened. He returned with the news that the wigwams were gone and the fires were cold. The tribe had moved on.
There were many tears and prayers in the log cabin in the months that followed. It seemed a long, long time until finally the smoke of the campfires rose into the sky again. The Native Americans had returned, but still Colombe did not come to Rose’s log cabin.
And then one day a tall Native American came from the dark forest to the cabin of the settler. Clearly, he was the chief of the tribe. Both men knew a little French, enough to be understood. Rose’s father stood silent, waiting for the chief to raise his downcast eyes and tell his sad story. He had three sons who had died of fever, one by one. One little treasure was left to them, his gentle little daughter, the light of her parents’ eyes and the princess of the tribe. But recently she also had died of fever.
“But this was different,” he told Rose’s father. “She was very, very sick, but she was not afraid. She talked of Jesus who is alive and who was so real to her. She said she was going to Jesus, and she died with joy. I have come,” said the chief, “to learn of Jesus.”
Do you know the only One who can help you die with joy? Only Jesus can do that. And if someone came to you and asked to learn of Jesus, could you tell them? Some people might know a lot about Jesus, but if Jesus is really your living, loving, coming Savior, you will be able to tell them what He is to you. He is the only Savior for sinners and the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. (See Proverbs 18:25.) “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that [believes]” (Romans 1:1616For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)).
Everybody ought to know Who Jesus is:
On the cross He died for sinners
And His blood makes white as snow;
Living, loving, coming Savior:
He’s the One you ought to know.
Messages of God’s Love 3/9/2025