The little girl had been wandering in the swamp for four days. Four days — think about it! But she was a very self-reliant little eleven-year-old and accustomed to “playing by herself.”
She watched the little woods animals, collected shells, and found nuts and berries to eat. She also did one most important thing: She prayed. Alone in the midst of many dangers (poisonous plants, snakes, treacherous soil and even quicksand), quietly, calmly and trustfully she prayed.
She was not alone in her prayers; neighbors were praying, many who saw the notices of a lost child prayed, and at home, most fervently of all, her family prayed.
She was found! Scratched and bruised and mosquito-bitten, she had lived through all the dangers and problems she had faced and was still able to tell her rescuers, “I’m the little girl that was lost in the swamp!”
It was happy, so happy, for her, but think what it must have meant to her family! Can you imagine their joy? It is just a little picture of something that the Lord Jesus told His followers when He was on earth: “Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that [repents].” Joy in heaven? Yes. He says again: Joy shall be in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner — just one? — yes, even just one sinner that repents.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that there is joy and rejoicing in heaven for you?