“Daddy,” called four-year-old Mike from his bedroom. He was supposed to be getting ready for bed, but it sure was taking him a long time.
“Yes, Mike,” answered Daddy from the living room where he was reading. “What is it now?”
“I have a secret to tell you.”
“That’s nice, but are you getting ready for bed?” Daddy asked, still reading his book.
“Yes I am, but can I tell you the secret right now?” asked Mike.
“Not right now, Mike. Tell it to your Teddy first,” said Daddy wearily. He could hear some whispering in Mike’s room, but couldn’t hear what was being said.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Mike.”
“I told Teddy. Can I tell you now?”
“Tell Lion now,” said Daddy, almost ready to put his book down, but hoping to get to the end of the chapter.
“Okay, Daddy.”
So now the secret was quietly whispered to the toy lion that shared the bed with Mike and Teddy.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Mike.”
“I’ve told Teddy and Lion. Now can I tell you?”
“Tell your fish, and then you can tell me,” answered Daddy as a last resort.
The secret was passed on now to the fish in the fish bowl. Mike was getting practice by repeating the secret, and it took him less time to tell the fish than it did to tell Teddy or Lion.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Mike.”
“I’ve told my secret to Teddy and to Lion and to the fish. Now can I tell you?”
“All right,” said Daddy. “Come on down and tell me.”
“But, Daddy, you have to put your book down,” insisted Mike as he ran into the living room.
“Okay, I will,” said Daddy, closing the book and setting it aside.
“It’s a secret, Daddy, and so you won’t tell anyone, will you?”
“No, I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”
“Are you listening?”
“Of course! What’s your secret, Mike? Whisper it in my ear.”
There was a pause, then, “I love you, Daddy.”
“Is that the secret, Mike?” asked Daddy with a big smile on his face. “Oh, Mike,” said Daddy, lifting him onto his lap, “thank you for telling me, and Daddy loves you, too, very much.”
There is One who is not keeping it a secret that He loves us. He is the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Word, the Bible, we read, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He [the Lord Jesus Christ] laid down His life for us.” 1 John 3:1616Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16).
The Lord Jesus Christ longs to show you His love. He is trying to get your attention. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” Revelation 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20). He wants you to listen to Him. He has a wonderful story to tell you about the love that brought Him to this world to die for sinners. He will tell you of His love that made Him stay on the cross. There He was punished for the sins of anyone who will accept Him as his or her Saviour. He wants to tell you of His blood which He shed on the cross. It has the power to wash all your sins away. If you trust in Him, then He will show you the love that He has for you day after day after day, until He has you with Himself in heaven. All of this He has for you, if you will only listen.
ML-08/07/1983