One day a party sailed down the harbor in a boat. The weather was fine when they started; in the afternoon a black cloud arose the thunder rolled, and the lightning flashed, occasioning great alarm among the ladies. One lady was more frightened than the rest; her little daughter nestled towards her; taking her hand, and looking up into her mother’s face with a look of pity and surprise, “
Mother,” said she, “God is in the thunder; can’t we trust Him when He speaks loud, as well as when He speaks easy?”
“Yes, my child,” replied the rebuked mother, with a tear in her eye. “And pray, Mary, that I may have the perfect trust of a little child.”
How precious was little Mary’s faith!
And it pleased God, because He loves to be trusted. His children trust Him, and He would have any child to be His child; and therefore He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour, and all who trust in Him are dear to His heart. And when Jesus came, what did He say? He said, “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Why, what are little children horn for, if they are not born for God? Their mothers do not always expect to keep them, and if they grow up like His dear Son, lowly-minded, forgiving, patient, loving, and obedient, their early piety glorifies God; it honors and pleases Him, and they answer the purpose they were made for.
ML 10/22/1944