One warm, sunny morning Miss Wood thought that the nice air would do all the children good, so she told them to run out into the garden, and have some games.
After the others had gone she saw Frank lingering behind, and he asked, “May I stay with you instead?”
“Would you not like to go out and play with the others?” she asked; “it is so fine this morning.”
“No,” he answered; “I want to stay with you.”
Seeing that he really wished it, she drew him to her, asking if he wished to tell her something.
“I want to know why I may not come in with you when the others do?” he answered.
“Because your parents do not wish it, dear,” she said.
“But why?” said the child; “and who is it that they sing about, and that you talk to them about, called Jesus? I have listened outside the door, and I would like to sing too, and I want to know about Jesus. Who is He? Do tell me.”
Miss Wood was much surprised, as she had no idea that he had heard anything; but she only answered, “I must not tell you, dear. I have promised your father and mother that I would not speak to you about Jesus, and I must not break my word to them. You must ask them, if you wish to know, and then if they give me permission I shall be pleased to tell you about the Lord Jesus, and to let you sing the hymns with the others.”
So when Frank went home that day he told his parents that instead of playing with his toys he had often listened outside the door of the room where Miss Wood was telling the children about Jesus, and how he had heard them singing hymns about Jesus.
“I would like to hear about Jesus too, father, and to sing the hymns with the others. Do let Miss Wood tell me about Jesus. She will, if you say so.”
His father and mother were very sorry that he had heard anything, and said to each other, “We have been foolish, and made a great mistake. Keeping things secret has only made him curious, and anxious to know. The only thing now is to let him, go, then he will soon get used to it, and not care about it.”
Thus God’s purpose of blessing for dear Frank was brought about, and Miss Wood had the joy of telling him about God and His wonderful love to poor sinners.
Eagerly he listened to every word, and his thirsting soul drank in the precious message of grace and love. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130. He heard for the first time how God had loved him, and that because he was a sinful child, and He a holy God, He had sent His beloved Son to die upon the cross, that by the death of Jesus Christ he might be saved eternally, and all his sins be forgiven, and washed away in the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1: 18, 19).
How too he enjoyed the hymns, which he soon learned, and was able to sing with the other children! They also brought the same sweet message of a precious Saviour and of His great love for the little ones; of the bright home where He was even now living, thinking of them, and watching over them, and how presently He was coming to take them to live with Him and God His Father up there, if they put their trust in Him and in His work for them upon the cross.
Soon Frank’s little, longing, empty heart was filled and satisfied with the love of Christ, and he had the joy which only those can know who, through simple faith in Jesus and His finished work, have all their sins forgiven.
Thus the Good Shepherd, Who had died for him, had now found His little lost lamb, and was saying, “Rejoice with Me, for I have found My sheep which was lost.” Luke 15:6.
I would say here that if any dear child who may read this narrative is longing to know that his sins are forgiven, the Good Shepherd is seeking you, wanting to save you, and if you will only put your simple trust in Him, believing that He died upon the cross, bearing all the punishment for your sins there, God tells you that you are saved. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16: 31; 13: 38, 39).
Sometime after this (I cannot remember how long it was) Frank was taken very ill, and soon it became apparent that the Good Shepherd who had saved him was going to claim His little lamb.
As he lay on his little bed, his parents sat watching beside him, heart-broken to know that soon they must part with their one great treasure.
Presently the little fellow turned to his father, and in his little feeble voice said, “Father, do you love me?”
Surprised at such a question, his father answered, “My boy, how can you ask me such a thing? You know you are the pride and joy of my heart.”
“Mother,” said the dying child, “do you love me?”
“My darling,” she said, “you know that I do, and that you are everything to me.”
She then broke out into uncontrollable grief.
“If you really loved me,” said the dying child, “how was it that you never told me about God and Jesus Christ, and that you did not want me to know that Jesus died for me? I do not know how you could have really loved me, and yet not wanted me to know about Jesus.”
His poor parents were quite broken down and wept bitterly. Though in great weakness, the dear child then pointed them to the blessed Lord Jesus, who had sought and found him, and who, despite their long rejection, was able and willing to save them. “And Jesus saith unto them, yea: have ye never read, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, thou hast perfected praise?” (Matt. 21:16). Very soon after the Lord Jesus took him home.
I know, dear children, you will be glad to hear that the words of their little child were used to the blessing of both the parents, and they too learned to put their simple faith in Jesus and His finished work, and were saved.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
Does not this story of Frank show us how God works out His own purposes of blessing, however difficult it may appear, and how He honors those who put their trust in Him, and leave Him to open the way as He chooses?
ML 06/13/1924