Once two little girls, Katie and Elsie were playing together when a friend offered Katie a penny. She was five years old and like all little children was glad to get pennies, but she did not take this one. Then the penny was offered to little Elsie, only two and a half years old. She believed the words of her kind friend and took the penny at once.
In the same way a gentleman once told some boys that he would give a watch to the one who would receive it. But as he handed it first to one and then to another none took it till he came to the last and smallest boy. This one took the man at his word and received the watch. Why did not the others take it? Because they did not think the man would give it to them.
These little stories make me think of another and much more wonderful story—the story of Jesus’ love. Jesus, too, is holding out a gift—the gift of eternal life. And yet many poor sinners are doing just as Katie and the boys did. They would like to have God’s gift but they do not take it because they do not think it is meant for them. They have not faith to believe that God means just what He says. They keep on working and trying to be good, thinking they will get salvation that way.
I hope that all of you little ones believe the simple promises of God.
ML 09/15/1940