WHILE crossing the street, in the great city of London, a little boy named Charlie was knocked down by a van and badly injured. Through a miracle, he escaped instant death but both his legs were terribly crushed under the wheels.
He was taken to the hospital, and there he was able to talk with a little invalid girl named Susan, who lay in the bed next to his. Susan was one of Jesus’ little lambs and she was not long in telling Charlie how Jesus loved him, how He suffered such pain and death, so that little children might be saved and go to heaven.
After many pain-filled days and nights, the doctors decided that Charlie’s injured limbs must be amputated if his life was to be saved. But God had something far better-in store for him.
That very night, just before the lights in the ward were put out, Charlie was heard crying softly.
Susan asked him what was the matter.
“Aren’t you afraid of the dark?” he said, “and don’t you know I may never be able to run and play anymore?”
“I’m not afraid of the dark,” replied Susan. “Jesus watches over us all through the night. Besides perhaps tonight He will come and take us home to heaven. There we shall both be All better.”
“If He comes tonight, are you sure He will take me too?” asked Charlie.
“If you are trusting Him as your own Saviour, I know He will,” she replied.
“But I am so small, and this bed is so big. I am afraid He would not see me if He came by here tonight.
“I know,” he continued, “I will hold up my hand. He will be sure to see me then, and know that I am here waiting for Him.”
With his little hand raised as high as he could, Charlie sank into a deep sleep — from which he never awoke in this world.
In the morning, the nurses found his little hand still raised in death. But we believe his precious soul had gone to be with Jesus, who indeed came that night and did not pass him by.
ML-03/24/1974