I remember it so well; it was one morning many years ago, when I was a very little girl. I had been disobedient at breakfast time, and my father had said to me gravely, “Carrie, you must go and stand outside the door for five minutes.”
I choked back a sob as I went out, and the door was shut against me. I remember well how my tears dropped down on the mat. But the five minutes were not nearly over, when the handle of the door was partly turned, and Johnnie’s curly head peeped out.
Both his arms were round my neck in a minute, and he said, “Carrie, go in. I’ll be naughty instead of you”; and before I had time to say a word, he had pushed me in and shut the door.
There I stood, with my eyes on the floor, feeling so red and uncomfortable, not knowing whether I might go up to the table or not. Father then took my hand and kissed me and put me on my chair, so I knew that I was cleared, just as if I had borne all the punishment, but oh, how I wished that Johnnie might come in!
When the five minutes were up, he was called in and then Father took us both—me, the poor naughty child, and Johnnie who had taken my place, and folded us in his arms and I sobbed it all out, my repentance, and love, and gratitude, while we were held close to his loving heart.
Years passed by and I found myself outside another door, separated from God the Father in heaven, sin having come between my soul and Him. Then I saw the One whom God sent, because He loved me, and how He, the Lord Jesus, bore the judgment of God at Calvary and took my place. Now He has put me into His place of nearness, and I am forgiven because of what He has done. I know the fullness and freeness of that forgiveness, for God my Father has drawn me close to His heart of love, and there, through His Son the Lord Jesus my Saviour, I have found peace, and “joy unspeakable and full of alorv.” Dear reader, have you?
ML 04/25/1954