1 Timothy 4:13
Some years ago, when spending a few days at H. it was proposed to have preaching in the open air one evening, and we set out during the day in different directions to invite the people. In one of the cottages was dear old Margaret W– , and it is one little saying of this aged saint that calls forth these few lines. The writer’s heart has often been encouraged by the remembrance of her words. Margaret’s days of toil on earth were drawing to a close; a busy life had been hers, working year after year, as tailoress at the many farmhouses around, till age at length demanded that the well plied needle should be laid aside.
“I can’t do much now,” she said, “but I read a little, and I work a little, and I look up!” Her words sank into our hearts with sweetness and instruction.
Dear toiling mother, if such should read these lines, do thy oft revolving duties weary thee, fulfilled, it may be, unseen by any save One who notes everything?
“Look Up!” yea, “read a little” too. The Lord can make a little go a long way.
“He that gathered little had no lack.”
Thus shall you be helped with secret strength.
“Secret blessings, richly flowing Lead to everlasting day.”
The following year we were again at H. We soon visited the cottage of our dear old friend, where we still found her, but now quite bent and feeble; the little room she lived in also showing signs of its occupant’s waning strength and inability to keep it as was her wont. On reminding her of the previous year, and the lesson she had unconsciously imparted, and from which we had so profited.
“Ah!” she said, “my sight is nearly gone now; I can’t read, and I can’t work, I can only look up!”
While we can read let us read, if only “a little” daily, prayerfully with faith. Nothing can make up for this. Leanness of soul and a train of sorrows result from its neglect.
“As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby.”
One knows that the daily things will swallow up more than the “twelve hours in a day,” if we allow them, but “seek ye first,” is the blessed Lord’s own injunction. As sure as we do so, we shall find our duties will get quite as well attended to, and with a happier heart, for we shall also have given the Lord Jesus His portion—our ear.
Mary sat at His feet and heard His word. May we do this, dear reader, more than we have ever yet done. Then shall we be better fitted to work, even “a little,” for Him.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
“Looking (off) unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith,” till the happy moment when we all shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.