BLUE-EYED MARY is the pet name of a very pretty little flower—perhaps you have it growing in your garden. But the blue-eyed Mary this story is about was a dear girl who was taken away to live in God's garden, His beautiful Paradise, while she was still young.
Mary's father died when she was a baby, and her mother had to work very hard to earn enough money to feed and clothe her children, for Mary was the youngest of a big family. But though she worked so hard, Mary's mother found time to teach her that God is a holy God, and that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," 1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15).
As soon as she was old enough Mary left her home in the country and went to be maid-of-all-work at a house in the nearest town. It was while she was there that she became ill, for her mistress forgot that a young girl needs plenty of bread and butter and other good food, and though Mary worked very, very hard, she was not given enough food to keep her well.
Thus Mary's body was being slowly starved; but her soul was fed by God, and her great desire was to please Him: so that when her mistress made her do something which she felt was wrong, she gave up her place rather than disobey God, and went home.
It was not very long after that, just a few months, that Mary was put to sleep by Jesus, that she might wake up and be with Him forever. In herself she was nothing at all, a poor little girl whose body would one day crumble to dust; but she could say, and she did say, "Jesus died for me," and that made all the difference to Mary.
God is a holy God, and heaven the dwelling-place of God is holy, the angels in heaven are holy, nothing that is sin-deified can enter there, but Mary's soul was washed white and clean by the blood of Jesus, "whiter than snow," Psa. 51:77Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7).
One who knew and loved both Mary and her mother wrote their story, and tells us that after Mary said, "I am nothing but dust and ashes, but Jesus died for me," she looked up as though she
could see the glory of the Lord, and her face was bright and glad beyond all telling as she said very slowly and solemnly "Holy,.. holy,.. holy."
And very soon after that, she was with Jesus.
Does the thought of the holiness of God fill you with joy and gladness, as it did Mary? or does it make you afraid? It is only those who can say, "Jesus died for me"; those who confess that, "He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again," 2 Cor. 5:15,15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:15) who can "Give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness," Psa. 30:44Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. (Psalm 30:4).