One single act of kindness can go a long way and touch many hearts for good. This is what happened in the true story that I’m going to tell you.
Mr. Lawrence was a sixth-grade school teacher in Alabama. One day his class noticed that he seemed sad and worried. Noticing this, the students asked him what was wrong. He told them that over the weekend his wife’s father had died and that he was worried about his wife. The students said they were sorry to hear that, and then they continued on with their day’s work.
When class was over and the children were leaving, one of the girls handed Mr. Lawrence a note that she had written. It said, “This is for your wife. I know it cost a whole lot when my daddy died, and I don’t really want ice cream today anyways.” The note also said, “Mr. Lawrence, I’m sorry.” Inside the folded note were three quarters, which was her ice cream money.
This young girl showed sympathy for Mr. Lawrence’s wife. Boys and girls, do you know what sympathy is? It is a feeling of sadness for someone who is in distress. Along with that feeling, there is a deep desire to help that person. Mr. Lawrence was very sad over the loss of a loved one. This young girl did what she could to show her sympathy; she wrote a note of kindness and gave up her ice cream money. Wasn’t that a kind thing for her to do!
The Bible tells us of God’s love for us. He looked down from heaven and saw boys and girls, men and women sunk deep in sin and unable to save themselves. Because God loved us, He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on Calvary’s cross for our sins. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). The Lord Jesus died to pay our sin-debt towards God. When we confess our sins and ask the Lord Jesus to come into our hearts, God will forgive us and make us ready for heaven. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
Mr. Lawrence was deeply touched and wrote, “I wish the world would pay more attention to children. We could learn a lot from them.” Mr. Lawrence was absolutely right! Did you know that Jesus loves little children? The Bible tells us that young children were brought to Jesus so that He could touch them.
His disciples were not pleased and scolded those that brought the children to Him. But Jesus was very displeased with His disciples; He told them not to forbid the children to come to Him. Then Jesus took the children up in His arms and blessed them, saying, “Suffer [allow] the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein” (Mark 10:14-1514But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (Mark 10:14‑15)).
What did Jesus mean? Jesus was telling the people around Him that unless they believed on Him with the faith and trust of a little child, they could not possibly be saved. This is the kind of faith that Jesus wants us to have. Come to Him now while your heart is young and tender. The Bible says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1)). Why not put your trust in Him now? He will not turn you away! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved “ (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
ML-08/05/2018