Rose was ten years of age, and a very plain child; so much so, that her companions made fun of her and called her “the ugly child.”
Now Rose did not like this, but so well trained was she in the ways of truth and peace, that she answered nothing, but was all the more grieved at her infirmity, as she thought.
Being a little Christian, she began to wonder why God had not made her pretty and attractive, that instead of scorn she might have the love and friendship of those around.
This led her to search the Bible for some verses to comfort her, and teach her why all are not alike. Soon she came to that beautiful passage:
O, how sweet to know that she would be like Jesus in heaven, pure, sinless, and lovely, with not a tear to dim her eyes, nor a grief to burden her little heart.
Musing thus, a whisper seemed to echo through her, “Tell the little girls at school that when you see Jesus you will be like Him.”
Next morning after school was over, several girls were walking home with her when one said,
“I do like pretty people, don’t you, Selina? but not ugly ones like Rose.”
This was meant to reach her, so turning round she looked at them and timidly said,
“I shall not always be ugly, for I shall be pure, sinless and beautiful when I awake in my Saviour’s likeness, for I shall be like Him, and with Him forever.”
O, what a look of surprise came over the children’s faces, and bursting into a loud laugh they ran off, exclaiming, “I wonder when that will be?”
A few days after this incident, Rose was not at school, being ill; so, many of the little girls called at her house, among whom were the children mentioned as laughing at her.
They were very sorry now for all their unkindness to her, and when they saw her pale face, and heard that she was very ill, they thought of her words, and longed to be as sure of Jesus she was.
Daily they inquired for her, but still no improvement.
One sunny morning they came to the house, but fear made them stop in their eagerness to knock, for all was quiet. No need to ask why, no occasion to ask how Rose was.
Gone? Yes; to be forever with Jesus, who had loved her more than any one, and transplanted His little flower to a fairer realm above; wsshed in His precious blood and made, pure and sinless through believing on Him.
Whilst standing in mute astonishment and sorrow, the door was softly opened and Rose’s father came out, tearful and sad. When he saw the children, he took their hands and said,
“She is gone, my dears, to be forever with Jesus, and sent you a message: Tell my little school girls I did pray for them, and want them to trust the Lord Jesus; and when they come to die, they will not be afraid, but willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Her words sank deeply into their hearts, and when tempted to despise anything which God’s hand had made, they thought of her and the Saviour whom she had gone to dwell with.
From thinking and longing to be free from sin, they prayed for faith in Christ, and I hope at last trusted in Him who had so loved them, and given Himself for them.
ML 04/22/1945