There was along the coast, a shipwreck one day and the crew was in great danger. On shore stood a few spectators, who, when they saw the danger, ran to the lifeboat to float it, and to save, if possible, some, or all of the unfortunate ones. I don’t know how it happened, but the boat stuck fast in the sand. Quickly there came the women, and helped to pull and push, but the boat remained unmovable. Finally some one said, “Why not call the children?”
The children were called, and a great crowd of them came and laid hold with their small hands; they helped with all their might, and, lo, the boat moved, and amidst their shouts it slid into the water. It was manned, and rowed out to the shipwreck, and soon all stood on solid ground. The children could not have moved the boat alone, but they helped, and their little strength was needful to complete the good work.
In the Bible, too, we read how children have done certain things. Was it not a little boy who had five loaves and two fishes? But the Lord fed 5,000 men with them.
You, also, can be of blessing to some one, if you are the Lord’s both at home, and in school, and abroad. And you can pray, and the Lord hears you when you pray to Him. The Lord blesses your little gifts too. When you pray to Him, you are not to speak with your mouth only, but with your heart as well; and when you have something to give to the poor, or for the Lord’s work, see that you do it with joy. First of all, you must give yourself to the Lord Jesus, and then you may serve Him, and you will do it with joy.
ML 09/26/1943