Rose was ten years old. She was not a pretty girl, in fact some of the children on the street and at school used to call her “Ugly Rose.”
This dear girl was a Christian, and although she felt their unkind words, she never answered them back. But she did often wonder why God had not made her pretty and attractive, so that, instead of scorn and teasing, 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. At last she came to this beautiful verse— “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Psalm 17:1515As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15).
It made her so happy to know that some day she would he just like Jesus in heaven, with never a tear to dim her eyes, nor a grief to burden her little heart.
Next morning, after school was over, several girls were walking home tether, and Rose came along and joined them. One of them spoke up and said “I do like pretty people, don’t you Peggy; but not ugly ones.”
This was meant for Rose, and she knew it. Quietly she turned and said timidly, “I shall not always be ugly, for I shall be pure and happy and beautiful when I awake in my Saviour’s likeness, for I shall be like Him, and with Him forever.”
What a look of surprise came over the children’s faces, and bursting into a loud laugh they ran away, shouting, “I wonder when that will be?”
A few days later, Rose was not at school. One of the girls went to her home to see what was wrong, and found that poor Rose was quite sick in bed. She told the other school girls, and they began to feel very sorry for all the unkind things they had said to Rose. Every day some of the girls would call at the house and stay for a little visit with the sick girl, and they noticed with sorrow that she seemed to be getting weaker and weaker.
One sunny afternoon, they came as usual on their way home from school, and found that all was very quiet in the house. They were almost afraid to knock. While standing silently in front of the house, the door opened and Rose’s father came out tearful and sad.
When he saw the children he stepped up to them kindly and said, “Rose is gone, my dear girls, gone to be forever with Jesus, and she sent a message for you. She said, ‘Tell my little school friends that I prayed and prayed for them, and I want them to trust Jesus too. Then when they come to die they will not be afraid, for it is falling asleep in Jesus—to awake in His likeness.’ And now I know that my Rose is now in the Lord Jesus’ own presence, and I hope you will take Jesus as your own Saviour.”
Her words sank deeply into their young hearts and they went away thoughtfully and tearfully, for they had learned to love dear, patient Rose.
Will you, dear boy and girl, be ready to fall asleep in Jesus, knowing that you will awake in His own presence, to be eternally in that glorious home that He has prepared for all who have been washed in His precious blood?
ML 08/05/1951