Two little school girls in Holland were returning to their home one afternoon, when they were overtaken by a terrible storm of wind and rain. For a time they were sheltered under a large umbrella which one of them had, but after a while the wind overturned it and broke it. Then the eldest covered her little sister with her cloak, but it was also torn by the force of the storm. The youngest little girl, who was in delicate health, finally became faint and could not go on any further. Her devoted sister, although almost exhausted herself, lifted her and carried her on her back through the storm that seemed to increase in fury.
Reaching home, she sank exhausted on the doorstep. Her younger sister was safe, but that noble act cost the elder girl her life. She never recovered from the effects of that exertion, and was an invalid from then on.
One day, grasping her sister whose life she had saved with her wasted feeble hands, she said: “I am so glad I brought you safely home that day. Will you think of me when I am gone, and remember you had a sister who loved you?” With many tears and kisses, the younger girl promised she would ever remember her love.
A few months later in the village cemetery, a plain stone was erected above a green grave, bearing the simple but touching inscription in Dutch:
Many who visit that quiet spot are told the story of that sister’s love, and are led to think of a greater love, even the love of Jesus, who died not only for His friends but for His enemies, that they might be saved.
Have you believed on and welcome Him as your Saviour, dear young reader? Can you truthfully say: “I live, because He died”?
ML 01/17/1965