HARRY had a dear kind father who loved him tenderly, and taught him many wise and good lessons.
His father was taken ill, but when he recovered he could not take such long walks as he had been used to so in the fine weather his easy chair was brought into the garden, and he sat there and enjoyed the fresh breezes, and the pretty sights around him.
Harry came running up to him one afternoon with a flower, which he had picked expressly for his father. Its delicate, white blossoms were encircled by dark green leaves. A few of the leaves had fallen away from the rest, and were drooping, but the others, fresh and vigorous stood erect around the flowers.
His father looked long and intensely at it, “Father, what do you think this flower makes me think of?”
“I do not know, my son,” he answered smiling.
“It makes me think of Jesus.”
“How so, Harry?”
“Because father, I think those beautiful white flowers resemble Him, and those green leaves that look so fresh, are like the Christians that get near to Christ and trust Him. They are bright and happy, you know, father those poor leaves that are almost dead, and hang down so sadly, are like the persons who are far away from Christ. They can’t be happy, you know, father, because they don’t love Him enough to get near to Him.”
“I am glad, dear Harry,” he said, “that your flower gives you such sweet thoughts of Christ. Will you always try and keep close to Him, Harry? You may not have your father with you very much longer, but if Jesus Christ is your Friend and Saviour, and you keep close to Him, you will not be lonely or unhappy.”
I am sure each young believer, and older ones too, will perceive the lesson for us in Harry’s flower.
The more closely we adhere to Christ and to Him, alone, the stronger and safer we shall be, as one has said,
“To have Him as a perfect covering for our eyes, to keep close to Him—fast by His side—this is our safe-guard.”
May each redeemed one, “Cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart.”
ML 09/20/1925