BABY looks very happy on mother’s knee, as she takes his chubby hand and presses it to her lips. The little one is very dear to her, and she will endure privation and toil for his sake. If sickness comes, she will not count the weary days and nights that she watches over him. Unflagging toil, unwearied care, mark a mother’s devotedness and love.
Most of my young readers have doubtless known a mother’s love and care. May I ask, What return are you making? Are you seeking to please the dear mother who has done so much for you? Or have you taken little thought about this, and cared little, whether or not you made your mother happy?
When she calls do you answer, “Yes” —then wait your own time to do her bidding? Or. if you leave your play to go, is it with a sour look on your face, and an unwilling heart that you do what has been asked of you? Can this be called obedience? I do not think that God would count it so. He would have cheerful, ready obedience, and He is well pleased where this is given.
It will be a happy return for your mother’s love and care, if you thus obey; and it will be worth more to you than you can estimate.
May this word from the Lord find its place in the life of each of my young readers!
ML 12/21/1902