LITTLE FLORENCE was only four years old, and possibly it was not so very strange that she should be a little timid. But it did seem rather sad to her mother, who never allowed a servant or an older child to take care of her, that would tell her stories that would excite her fears, to find her one of the most sensitive of children in regard to bring alone.
So great was her dread in this respect that at the mention of being left alone for the shortest time, she would turn very red in the face and tremble, and give other signs of intense excitement.
This, of course, became a cause of anxiety to her mother, who tried various ways to assure the poor little one that there was no need of fear, that nothing could hurt her. She was careful, however, not to leave her alone, to become terrified, lest it might injure her for life.
But, one day the mother was obliged to go out, and found that she had to leave the daughter. She felt as though the matter must be settled in regard to her dear little girl, so that she should not grow up into life subject to such fears.
So she told little Florence that she was going to leave her for an hour or two, and that it was time now to try to cure herself of her fears, and she should look to God and ask Him to take it away, and make her brave and happy while she was alone. She said she would leave her for a little while, and she would go to another room and pray to God for her about this matter.
She then retired to her room, leaving her child in the nursery, and took the whole matter to her God and Father, asking Him to make the child trust all to Him, and be comforted.
Coming back to the nursery she paused at the partly open door, seeing her little darling on her knees, praying and sobbing. Presently the little girl arose quiet, and running to her mother and putting her arms about her neck, exclaimed with great cheerfulness:
“O, mamma, I shall never be afraid any more. Jesus has taken away all my fear.”
And she never was, as she grew up seeming to have learned to trust all things to Him who loved her so much as to die for her.
Is it not blessed to know such a Friend as He is who sent His own Son for us that we might live through Him? His love is perfect, and perfect love casts out fear. Believe His word and all is well.
ML 04/02/1916