AMY F., a little girl of some seven or eight years of age, had among her collection of toys a very pretty doll, which had been given to her by a dear friend. Amy was very proud of it, and kept it as one of her choicest treasures. She had other dolls, but this one was the best. Children have oftentimes shown a spirit and example such as those of mature years might wisely and profitably cultivate and follow.
Amy, on coming downstairs one morning, began to recite to her mother, at the breakfast table, a dream she had had.
“Oh, mother!" said the child, "I have had such a nice dream! I thought Jesus came to my bedside. He was dressed in beautiful shining clothes; and He looked so bright! He called me, and said, 'Amy, I want to know if you will give Me that pretty doll you have—the one you call your best—the one you love most and take such great care of—because I want to make some other little boys and girls happy, whom I know and love, and who have not such a happy home and such kind friends as you have.'”
“And what answer did you give, Amy?" asked her mother.
“Why, mother," she said, "I told Jesus I would willingly give it to Him; and He looked pleased, and sweetly smiled on me, and said, ' Thank you, Amy'; and He went away in my dream.”
So the best doll was wrapped up in a clean piece of paper, and put aside carefully in the drawer till the fitting occasion should serve Amy's dream.
By-and-by there was a sale of work held in the schoolroom, the proceeds of which were to be given to a missionary society to aid in sending the good news of Jesus and His love to other lands. To this sale Amy sent the doll as her contribution. It soon found a customer, and realized the sum of one shilling and sixpence! And Amy went home with a treasure in her heart, even the sweetness and pleasure of giving a child's gift to the Lord Jesus.
Now it is just possible that to many of you dear young people who read this story, Jesus, your Savior, has come many, many times in the past with this same earnest, loving request, asking you to give Him your best—not merely your best doll, or toy, or book, but your best love, your best service, and best days. A young heart and life given to the Lord and to His service will make all our days and years bright, happy, and useful.
“Take my poor heart, and let it be
Forever closed to all but Thee.”