LET us see how many things Mary is trying to do. She is knitting, reading, rocking the baby and cooking the dinner. Which do you think she is doing best? I fear she is doing more reading than anything else. She does not seem to know that Fido has loosened his rope and has awakened and frightened her little brother, I think she must hear the baby cry; but does not know what is the matter. Does she know that the food she is cooking for dinner is boiling over? Does she know how untidy the room looks? Look at the things on the floor!
I am afraid she is thinking only of the story she is reading and will have a sad time, when her mother and father come home to dinner. She is happy now. See how she is smiling over the story.
Do you know that we are like Mary in many ways? First of all we often do not do our work in the very best way that we can. What does God tell us about this? “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Eccl. 9:1010Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Again we like very much to please ourselves, as we see Mary doing. She can leave her work undone and think only of the reading: because she likes it so much. We do more of that which we like than of that which is pleasing to God. We are told that “even Christ pleased not Himself.” Romans 25:3. Then if we follow Jesus, will we try to please ourselves? No, we will try only to please Him who has done so much for us.
There is a lesson here for the sinner. Is there a little boy or girl reading these words who has not yet believed in Jesus and had his sins washed away? If there is one, you are like Mary going on in your own way, enjoying the things of the present time, not thinking that you must give an account to God and be punished for your sins; as Mary will be punished by her mother for neglecting her duties. Believe in Jesus now. Do not wait until it is too late, for God says: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ML 11/15/1903