I have a sweet, true story to tell the dear children, who with bright expectant faces receive “Messages of the Love of God” from week to week. It shows how tenderly the Lord Jesus honored the faith of a little child.
Harry M. is a great friend of mine. He has often heard of the Lord Jesus, the good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep, and, through grace, Harry’s young heart has been won to love the precious Saviour.
At the time of which I write, a dark cloud of trial had gathered over Harry’s home. For many weeks his dear father had been too ill to go to his daily work, and his mother found it no easy matter to pay the rent and provide food for the household. There was not any money to spare for new clothes or shoes, and Harry’s shoes had worn so thin, that one morning his mother said,
“Does my little boy know that he cannot go to Sunday school any more till I can get him a pair of new shoes?”
“O, mother, I am so sorry,” was Harry’s answer.
“Yes, dear, and so am I, but perhaps you may not have to wait long, for the doctor thinks your father is a little stronger, and if it pleases the Lord to raise him up again, he will buy you shoes.”
Harry sat down to consider matters. After a silence of some time, he said,
“Mother, the last time I was at Sunday school, the teacher told us that the Lord Jesus has all power; that He can do whatever He pleases; He could send me some shoes if He pleased.”
“Yes, dear, I am sure He could; but perhaps He wants you to learn a lesson of patience, and so may keep you waiting. You will not mind if it is His will, Harry?”
“No, Mother, but do you think it would be wrong to ask Him? I would say, ‘just as you please, Lord Jesus’.”
So taking his old shoes in his hand, Harry went upstairs, and, kneeling down with clasped hands, and reverent face, for he knew he was speaking to a great and holy God, with the simple trust of a little child, he told out his need to the Lord in heaven.
Two or three days passed, and though Harry did not say one word about the shoes, his mother felt sure he was still praying, and also watcng for the answer to his prayer to come.
Saturday evening came, and while Harry went out on an errand for his mother, a friend called to leave a little money which was sent by a man, who, though he had heard of the illness of Harry’s father, did not know of the the little boy’s need or of his prayer. Upon receiving the gift, the mother said,
“The Lord has sent the money, and Harry shall have the shoes,” and with glad and grateful heart she went out to purchase them. On her return, string and paper were quickly unfastened; Harry with one long, loving kiss for his mother, pronounced them “such beauties,” then went quietly away. His mother gently followed, and found her little boy thanking the Lord for having answered his prayer.
Dear children, who know the Lord Jesus as your own precious Saviour, do you take all your needs to Him in prayer? And do you not forget to thank Him when He gives you just what you asked Him for, or perhaps something better?
ML 07/29/1945