WHEN I was little my mother often had to call me in from my play. Many times I was so engrossed with the thing I was doing that I left it reluctantly, and, lacking implicit obedience, would ask,
"What do you want?"
Her usual answer to that question, "I want you," annoyed me; for I could not as a child, think in terms of a mother's thoughts about her little one. Something to do was what I was seeking, and my own activities were often more pleasing. It was trying on that child-nature to yield due obedience.
A few days ago, many years after I had forgotten those incidents, I was strangely impressed by hearing the patient voice of a mother in the neighborhood calling her little daughter. The small girl's response was the same as mine had been, and was asked in a similar questioning tone. Back came three familiar words, with almost the same inflection my mother had used.
Instead of chastening me as I deserved for my attitude toward my parent, God thus used the experience to speak in a gracious way to the heart of His child, with the words, "I want you!" I trust this may be helpful to others.
Young Christian, can you not also hear the Lord say with patience and love to His child who lacks understanding in spiritual things, "I want you"? Can you not feel in a small measure the love of Him who has every claim upon you? Is it not good to know that He wants not only that your whole life be lived for Him, but that He delights in you as His child?
The realization of God’s love is one “line” to be learned. Another is obedience to parents;
Those who are disobedient and disrespectful to their parents in their youth, turn out badly later on, unless they turn to the Lord. Think of this, dear children, and come to the Lord Jesus to be saved from your sins. Then remember the scripture,
Messages of God’s Love 8/21/1932