Randy looked with sad, loving eyes at his first-grade teacher. How he loved the way she looked and smiled! And she knew so many “neat” things to do and play! But why, oh why, did she use the Lord’s name for no real reason? She usually wasn’t even angry. Once he had seen a very angry man swearing, and that was awful! But Miss Jones, well, she just said it so often and so carelessly as if she didn’t care about his precious Saviour. How could anyone not love the Lord Jesus? Why, everyone surely knew that He loved us so much that He came to die for our sins on the cross. Dear Randy! He had come to the Lord Jesus when he was so very young that he had not learned that most men, women and even children have no love for the Lord Jesus. They must have a new heart. He sighed deeply and went back to his writing.
Randy told his mother about it. “How I wish I could help someone to love the Lord Jesus!” Mother had a good idea who that “someone” might be, and she suggested they pray regularly for Miss Jones.
Soon after Miss Jones picked Randy to help her when she had playground duty. As usual it was not long before out popped THE WORD—the name of his Lord. Gently Randy slipped his hand in hers. Looking very, very serious he said, “Miss Jones, you know you really shouldn’t say the Lord’s name unless you are praying to Him.”
She laughed an embarrassed little laugh and answered, “Oh well, Randy, I—uh—well, in a way I am praying—sort of!” But Randy’s round, blue eyes never left her face. He knew it wasn’t true, and so did she. Dropping her eyes and kicking at a little rock she admitted, “I know I shouldn’t do it, Randy. I’ll try to stop it.”
“Because of swearing the land mourneth.” Jeremiah 23:10. “Thine enemies take Thy name in vain.” Psalms 139:20.
Randy’s family moved to another town not long afterward. We are still praying that those faithful, gentle words spoken to Miss Jones that day will cause her to really ask herself honestly, “Why do I use that name? Who really is Jesus Christ?” If she realizes that He is God, and if she cries to Him for mercy, she too can be saved. Wouldn’t that make Randy happy! Even more, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10.
Randy was a brave little soldier for Jesus that day. “Them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30.
ML-01/04/1981