THE children were gathered in the twilight round the fire: they could not see to read any longer, and so the books were laid aside. This was the half-hour they loved best of all the twelve hours of the day.
It was now that mother usually came in perhaps a little tired from her long round of visiting, and often sad because of the things she had seen and heard among the poor. This was just the time father managed to leave his study, and gather with his bright-faced boys and girls for a little while before the supper bell rang.
On this particular evening, their mamma was telling them of the poor families in the town, half starving, because the fathers and brothers were out of work.
“I wish I was rich; I would buy such heaps of things—bread, and nice warm clothes, and everything,” said Nellie.
“And I wish I hadn’t spent the pennies in my money-box,” sighed Bertie. And so the children ran on, and the conversation drifted into other things until the supper bell rang, and there was a general rush.
Mother noticed that Lily, the eldest girl, had been very silent while the rest had been chatting. During the supper her large thoughtful eyes looked a shade more thoughtful, and when the younger ones had been carried off to the nursery and put to bed, she stole away to where her mother sat with her sewing.
“Mamma,” she said, “I think I should like to give my new silver locket and chain, that Uncle gave me, you know, to go towards getting something for these poor people you told us about.”
The mother did not answer for a moment; then looking into her little girl’s face, she said, “What has made you wish to do that, Lily?”
“I have told Jesus about it, mamma, and I want to give it to Him.”
“Well, but Lily, I thought you liked your new locket and chain so very much.”
“Yes, indeed I do,” with a little sigh; “but I have been asking Jesus a long time to let me give Him something; and so now mamma dear, next time you go to town, perhaps the jeweler will take it back, and give me the money instead.”
Before this, Lily had given the Lord Jesus something which was of far more value than the locket and chain. A year or two back she had brought to His feet her young heart, and He had taken it, and made it His own. Since then she had longed to bring Him some little offering of her love; and so had made up her mind He should have this—the most valuable thing among her little store of treasures.
Perhaps you will wonder how such a great God—the God who fills all heaven with the glory of His presence—could think anything about such little matters; but He has told us in His word that the very hairs of our head are all numbered: and O, we have very little idea how He watches the lives and actions of His own blood-bought ones. He loves for you to tell Him all that is in your heart; and it must bring Him such great joy when He sees you making little sacrifices.
Have you ever brought Him that gift, the most precious, the most valuable, you could bring Him—your heart? If not, just stop and think a moment.
The Lord Jesus, before whom myriads of holy angels bow their heads and worship, stoops to ask you to yield yourself to Him. Is not it past all human thought? Will you grieve Him by refusing Him this gift? No! I trust you will hand yourself over to Him, take the pardon He offers you, and live to serve Him; gladly, freely, and joyfully.
He will not disappoint the soul that seeks Him; Jesus never turned any one away. Seek His blessed face; and then your life from now shall indeed be a life worth living.
ML 11/16/1924