THE following anecdote has been related of a little boy who had hardly learned to speak. After an illness he had been ordered a new-laid egg every morning for his breakfast. It happened that one day the supply failed; so at breakfast time the child was told that there was no egg for him that morning. He said nothing, but a few moments after, folding his tiny hands, the prayer went up “Lord― Georgie―negg,” and he quietly began his meal.
Almost directly after, the servant entered with a fresh egg, which had just been sent in for the child by a kind neighbor. Thus was his faith answered. Was little Georgie surprised? No. He knew that the Lord in heaven, who loved him and cared for him, had heard his prayer, and sent him what he asked for. Then he would thank the Lord.
This story was lately told to a little boy, somewhat older than Georgie. He had heard something of the Lord Jesus, and liked to be told of His love. He knew, too, that everything he had came from Him; but he had not yet learned to take all his little wants to Him in prayer. He did not know the joy of asking and receiving, nor the joy to the Lord, who stoops to even our smallest needs, in being asked, and in giving.
He was an honest, thoughtful child, and after a few moments’ consideration, quietly remarked, “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“What would you have done?” was then asked.
“I would have waited for the egg,” he answered.
Which of these little boys, do you think, best understood what God likes His children to do? Surely the one who waited and trusted did well. But the one who asked in faith, according to the Lord’s own gracious words, “Ask and ye shall receive,” did better.
It is also written, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” G. C.