EDITH was twelve years of age, and being a troublesome little girl at Sunday school, her teacher often found her very difficult to manage.
One Sunday afternoon, Miss A. had a very great desire to speak even more earnestly than usual about the things of God. She prayed that the seed she scattered that day might fall into good ground. and bring forth fruit to God.
Arrived at the school, she found Edith sitting with an angry frown on her face. Noticing this, she felt rather discouraged, but looked to God for help, and cheerfully began the Scripture lesson. Then she talked to the girls about the verses they had read, and told them that God was Himself speaking to them in His word, and that in His great love He was willing to save any one of them who would come to Him through Jesus:
On the following Sunday, she again sought earnestly to press home the truth of the Saviour’s love, and was glad to notice that Edith was listening eagerly. After school she drew her aside, and said kindly,
“I hope there’was nothing seriously wrong with you last Sunday, dear, that you looked so upset?”
“O yes, there was, teacher,” the little girl answered. “I was in such a bad temper all the afternoon, because they `crossed’ me at home, and I came determined not to listen to you. But when you spoke about the love of Jesus, and said He would forgive all who came to Him by faith! it broke me down, and I felt miserable and so sinful, but too proud to own I was a sinner and wanted forgiveness. Now I am happy, for I do believe that Jesus died for me,” and her face, beaming with joy, made her teacher’s heart glad, and she praised God that her prayer had been answered in the seed falling on good ground.
Several weeks after this, Miss A. had to go from home for a short time. Edith missed her teacher’s help very much, and bit by bit fell away, and lost her joy and the desire to live for Jesus.
On Miss A.’s return, she asked the little girl how she was getting on, and was grieved to hear her sad confession, but said encouragingly; “You must learn to look to Jesus daily, dear, and He will give you grace and strength to live for Him. Do not lean on me, for I, also, am full of sin, and have to turn to Him for help in times of temptation. Go to Him with all your failings, He knows how feeble you are, and He will teach you how to please Him, while you cling to Him.”
The dear child carried her teacher’s advice into practice, and is now going on gladly, living for the Saviour in whom she believes, and learning day by day to follow Him. Though temptations often come, Edith proves that she can be more than conqueror, through Him who loved her, and gave Himself for her.
Messages of God’s Love 4/10/1921