SHEILA was five years old. She was quietly playing "teaparty" in the kitchen, while her mother was busy writing a letter. The little girl busied herself setting dishes and cups around, and all the time talking to herself. Suddenly she called out, "Mother, come and see what I have done. I took away a saucer and put a cup in its place. Isn't that what "’stitution' means?"
Mother put aside her writing, and taking Sheila on her knee gave her a big kiss. "Do you mean 'substitution,' dear?" Sheila nodded her head. "What a long word," said her mother. "What does it mean?"
"Why, Mother, don't you remember?" asked Sheila in surprise. "It means what the Lord Jesus did. He changed places with me."
Dear boys and girls, Sheila was right. That big word means just that. I was condemned to be punished for my sins, but Jesus took my place and suffered and died instead of me.
Messages of God’s Love 11/6/1949