JOAN was very happy in her beautiful home, and no wonder, for almost everything, that could be desired was hers, and good health to enjoy it. The pretty house, her own dear little room, the charming garden with its winding paths and flower-beds, the dog, the cat, and a pair of tame rabbits, and, last, but not least, a baby brother and a loving father and mother; what more could she want? Yet something seemed to be troubling her mind. Mother noticed it, but said nothing; one day, she thought, the secret will come out; and so it did. It was during a visit of her favorite uncle, to whom she always told her troubles.
“Uncle, I want to ask you something very secret, may I?" said Joan. (Mother had gone out now, and they were alone.)
“Certainly, Joan dear; what is it?" Then she began to tell him how happy she was, and how she loved her playmates and surroundings, and she whispered, "I don't want to leave them.”
“What makes you think you are going to leave them? What has put that into your head, Joan?" asked her uncle.
“Mother has been telling me about the coming of Jesus in the clouds, suddenly, nobody knows when, but it may be very soon, and He is going to take us away to be with Him in heaven; and—and—I don't want to go and leave it all; at least, not yet," and she put her hand in her uncle's and hid her face.
“So that's the trouble, is it! Well, Joan, you are not the only one who has had similar thoughts, though perhaps they may not have mentioned them to any one. There is always the danger with young people, especially when they are enjoying a happy spell in their lives, to think that these pleasant times are going to last. Those who are older have learned by bitter experience what a changing scene this is, and how, just when things seem brightest, something often comes in to spoil it. Everything in this world is uncertain; 'thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.'”
“But doesn't God want us to be happy down here?" said Joan.
“Yes, indeed; it is quite right to enjoy the good things God has given us, never forgetting daily to thank Him for them. The Bible says, 'He giveth us richly all things to enjoy.' (1 Tim. 6:1717Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (1 Timothy 6:17).) But in this world of sin we can never be fully happy; there is always the knowledge that something unexpected may happen; death may break in and upset all our happiest plans. When Jesus comes for us, it will be to take us to His Father's house, to the mansions He has gone to prepare for us; remember it says in Psa. 16
‘In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy
right hand there are pleasures for evermore.'
Surely, Joan, you would not mind changing your earthly joys for these heavenly ones which never fade away?”
Joan's face brightened up, and she said, "I see, uncle, I see; when Jesus comes it will be something happier still.”
“Now, Joan, it is my turn to ask you something. Are you quite sure that, when Jesus comes, you won't be left behind? Father and mother will go, I know, for they belong to Jesus; but what about you?”
Joan did not hesitate. "I belong to Jesus too, uncle. Jesus died for sinners. Father taught me a text only last Sunday: 'While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).) I know I’m a sinner, and I've told Jesus so; and I believe He died for me, and I often thank Him. No, uncle, I'm sure He won't leave me behind!
“Thank God for that, Joan dear. And when we are all together in those heavenly joys, the best of all will be that Jesus Himself will be in our midst, and we shall each be able to say, 'Who loved me, and gave himself for me.'”