WELL remember a little incident which I saw one day in the hospital. A little boy of three years had been operated on for club feet. Both feet were very badly deformed, and at the operation the ligaments had to be cut, but the greater part of the work of straightening the little feet had to be done gradually. Every day or two the doctor would come and draw the bandages a little tighter. It was a very painful process. One day I happened to be with the child when the doctor came, and although he was as kind and gentle as could be, poor little John shook with sobs, and the tears flowed freely. One could tell by the doctor’s face how much it hurt him to have to hurt the child. As soon as he had finished, he left abruptly to go away and wash his hands; but returned in a few minutes, only to find poor little John still sobbing and crying.
The doctor spoke a kind word or two to him, and then said,
“Have you a kiss for me today, John?”
Up went the little tear-stained face with a smile to give the doctor a kiss. The old doctor could not keep his own tears back as he turned, and said, “Is there anything in the world so wonderful as the forgiveness of a little child?”
This is just what God wants—children who will trust Him, though they cannot understand. We all have crooked feet, we want to go in our way, but in His infinite love and wisdom, He wants us to go in His way, which is always the best way. It hurts Him when He has to hurt us to make us to go in the right way. O, for hearts to trust Him fully. May we always be ready to say, “Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.” Psa. 25:44Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. (Psalm 25:4).
ML-07/25/1920