I knew a dear little boy called Charlie. He had an aunt with whom he lived who loved Jesus. The greatest wish in her heart, and the prayer she prayed oftener than any, was that little Charlie might have Jesus for his Saviour too.
Charlie liked his aunt to tell him stories out of the Bible, but he never said much about himself to her. He was very shy, like many other children, and he felt as if such things were too deep down in his heart ever to get up to his lips.
So Charlie kept secret for a very long time what it would have made his dear aunt more happy than anything else to know. He had felt very sorry for his sins and had taken them all to Jesus, and Jesus had washed them away in His blood. He had filled Charlie’s heart with love to Him.
At last the time came for Charlie to go to school. The night before he was to start, his aunt went up to his bedroom to kiss him, and say “good night.” Charlie’s was such a pretty little bedroom. It had a pink bed in it, and there were rosebuds all over the wall. Lots of pretty pictures hung everywhere, and beautifully illuminated texts. Over his bed hung the present his aunt gave him on his birthday—a beautiful scroll, with the words painted on it,
“My Father, Thou art the guide of my youth.”
As she said “good-night,” his aunt whispered, “I wish I knew that my dear little Charlie was taking Jesus to school with him! Is my little boy afraid to tell auntie about himself?”
Charlie’s face grew rosy with shyness, and he sat up in bed, and put his finger on the text over his bed, “That’s my text, auntie,” he said.
And auntie knew what he meant, and her heart was so glad and overflowing with thankfulness to God!
There are many of my young friends as shy as Charlie who love Jesus in secret. They are like Nicodemus, and come to Him in the dark. I was just as shy myself when I was a little girl, so I know all about it. But there is a remedy for shyness—tell Jesus about it and ask Him for courage! We miss a great deal of happiness and help from other people who have got further on the way to heaven than we have, by being too shy to speak about those things. And we don’t get on so fast by ourselves. God means Christians to help one another. If nobody knows that you are a Christian, you won’t be able to help anyone! Now, try my plan —tell Jesus. Tell Him every time you feel shy, and He will give you courage.
I tell it all to Jesus,—
The trouble and the pain;
And, O, He sends in answer,
Such blessed peace again!
I tell my wants to Jesus,—
And O, He gives to me,
The very things I needed,
In measure full and free!
I tell my joys to Jesus,
And thank Him for them too;
And He rejoices with me,
As no one else could do!
I soon shall go to Jesus,
My gracious, heavenly Friend!
And up in heaven I’ll praise Him,
With songs that never end!
ML 05/20/1945