An English queen, who lived many years ago, went to Scotland each summer for her vacation. While she was there she would often walk alone to the nearby town. One afternoon when she was out walking, a thunderstorm suddenly developed. Dark clouds gathered in the western sky, and soon it began to rain. The queen walked quickly up a nearby lane to a small cottage and knocked on the door. When the door was opened the queen asked the woman if she could borrow an umbrella. “I’ll return it tomorrow,” the queen promised.
The woman, not recognizing the queen, did not want to lend her good umbrella to a stranger. Thinking fast, she remembered that she had an old umbrella that she could loan her. She found it and gave it to the queen.
The next day there was another knock at the door of the cottage. This time it was a man in a uniform trimmed with gold braid! He was holding her old umbrella.
“The queen sent me to return the umbrella she borrowed from you,” he said. “She also asked me to give you this letter.”
“The queen!” The woman was stunned. She opened the letter and read a sweet thank-you note from Queen Mary. The woman burst into tears. “The queen! Oh, what an opportunity I missed when I didn’t give her my best!”
Christian children, do not hold back from giving your best to your Saviour. He has done so much for you. Should your best not be reserved for Him? This would include your love, your time, your energy and everything you have. If your best is given to Him or used for Him, it will be honoring to Him and for your blessing. How happy we shall be when we stand in Jesus’ presence if we have always given Him our very best!
ML-05/30/1982