THIS circle of children with their bright, happy faces, reminds us of the many times we, too, have played on the lawn, or in the meadows and woods. Surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers we have often listened to the merry songs of the birds and felt thankful to God for allowing us to enjoy all these pleasant things.
But some dear little ones are sick and never able to go outside and play and run about like those in our picture and I want to tell you about one of these.
His name was Bobbie and he had been lying on a small bed in the Children’s Hospital, for two years. The nurse said he had hip disease, and his sickness was incurable.
His face had grown white and thin and his eyes large and hollow, but the little hand that was lying outside the bedclothes, and looked hardly strong enough to lift a feather, was raised to shake hands with some friends who went to the hospital to see him. All the other children were having their tea, yet, though a large mug-full stood beside Bobbie’s bed, he did not seem inclined to taste it, but lay with his eyes closed, and a peaceful look upon his little wan face.
“Well, Bobbie,” said one of his friends, “are you happy?”
“Yes,” said the child.
“Loving Jesus?”
The thin lips parted this time with a smile, and the same answer.
“And are you happy to go to Him, Bobbie?” asked his friend.
They caught another faint “yes,” and bright smile before they turned away.
How could a little child of eight years (for that was Bobbie’s age) really be happy lying there day after day, never seeing any birds, or trees, or flowers, and never able to run about, like other boys? It seemed strange to his friends, but Bobbie’s second answer gave the secret. He said he loved Jesus. It was that which made him so happy.
Have you ever driven on a cold winter night through dark, narrow lanes, with the wind blowing so hard in your face that although the rain fell heavily, it was impossible to hold up an umbrella? But, if you have had a very dear friend with you, who has talked pleasantly all the way, and tried to shelter you from the wet and cold, then you have not minded the storm. The journey has seemed so short that you were quite surprised when you reached home.
This was how it was with Bobbie. There was One who more than eighteen hundred years ago had given him a proof of His love—such as Bobbie could never forget. It was Jesus—yes, it was the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved little Bobbie with such a deep, such a wonderful love, that He left His beautiful home on high, where He was daily His Father’s delight, and came into this world, to endure the shameful death of the cross; that by shedding His own precious blood, He might bring poor sinners to dwell with Him forever in His Father’s house.
Yes, dear children, while we enjoy health and strength, and being able to romp and play, we may still be happy if God sees fit to lay us on a bed of pain and sickness. We may be happy in thinking of His love and of going to be forever with Him, even when we are suffering in body.
It is good when we have learned to say, like the Apostle Paul, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Phil 4:11.
ML 05/22/1904