HOW strange are God’s ways to bring to Himself one and another of the children of men. This was certainly the case with Mrs. A.—whose heart and conscience were awakened for, the first time through the simple question of a little girl.
Mrs. A.— was in good circumstances, had been brought up the child of a godly mother, but, though she had a quiet and sober disposition, she had never learned to know herself in God’s Presence.
Having been married but a short time she lost both husband and child, and having no other relatives, it left her lonely indeed. In addition to all this, the little money her husband left her was soon used up, and she was left in pitiable circumstances. That all this was ordered by a kind and loving God she did not know at that time. Well did she sigh, and pray and go to church regularly, but she was not broken down before God.
But God dealt very graciously with her. She got a position in a wealthy family as a governess, and soon she felt herself quite at home. She loved the children who were under her care, especially the smallest one, little Marie, she was very much attached to, and they all were fond of their governess.
One Lord’s day morning, Mrs. A.—was about to go to church, taking with her one of the older girls, Marie being too small to go. Mrs. A.— was looking for her little pet to bid her goodby, and in her hand she had a beautifully bound prayer book with gold clasps. Joyfully, little Marie ran to give her beloved governess a farewell kiss, when her eyes caught sight of the nice book.
“What is this beautiful “book you have here?” she asked curiously.
“This is my prayer book, my darling” replied the widow tenderly; “in it is printed what I am going to say to God.”
Little Marie was thoughtful for a moment, then said, fastening her eye earnestly on Mrs. A.—: “Did you write the book?”
The widow was embarrassed. What a strange question! As a matter of course she did not write the book. The thought came to her as quick as lightning, what folly it was to address God in words and sentences written down by another person whom she did not even know. Her thoughts ran quickly farther: If she had anything which burdened her heart to ask of God, she alone could say it to Him in her own words; if, till now, she had prayed from her prayer-book only, was it not proof that she had never really prayed at all?
But the child was waiting for an answer; what could she tell her? Should she tell a lie? No, under no circumstances. She must tell the truth whatever impression it would leave.
So she answered in a husky voice: “No, my dear, the book has been written by a strange gentleman whom I do not know.”
In the eyes of our little pet you could read undisguised astonishment. Her bright face grew very earnest and sober, and she said in a low tone: “How can a strange gentleman know what you want to say to God?”
Mrs. A.— stood as rooted to the floor.
Her heart beat fast and loud. These words from the lips of the little girl reached her ears like a peal of thunder. Had she been struck with blindness all her life?
God had said, “My son, give Me thine heart,” and would He take heed to any prayer but those that come from the heart? Could she repeat, like a parrot, what another had written down for her? In her agitation, she pressed the little girl to her heart, cast away the prayer-book and hurried out of the house. For the first time in her life, she listened eagerly to the words of the preacher, as he spoke of the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross; to accomplish redemption for poor lost sinners. She could scarcely hold back her tears.
Arriving at home she went to her room and locked the door. She fell on her knees and cried to God from her inmost heart for mercy and pardon, owning that all her life had been but a blank, hollow, empty, religious ceremony; she had never feared, loved nor served God. And when did God ever turn away an anxious, seeking soul? Mrs. A.— left her room a pardoned one. She was able to give thanks and praise to God for all. He had done for her.
From that time on Mrs. A.— was more attached to little Marie than ever before, you may be sure. And does our little narrative end here? No.! Mrs. A.— had the blessed privilege to sow the precious seed of God’s word into little Marie’s young and receptive heart, and to lead her to Christ. The prayerbook was not opened any more, but Mrs. A.— laid it away to remind her of the hour when God, through the lips of a little child, spoke to her, and awakened her out of her dead sleep, and Himself shined into her dark heart.
Dear reader! I know you have often heard of God; but have you ever opened your heart to Him? Have you turned yourself over to Him? If not, then cast aside indifference and outward religion; both will lead you to eternal ruin. Job says at the end of his book, “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
May this be the language of your heart! God’s answer will not be long in coming. He will give you all things for time and for eternity, according to the riches of His grace.
Messages of God’s Love 5/3/1908