The rewards of grace

Among the clippings I have in my scrapbook is one from the pen of Velma B. McConnell, in which she tells the story of a small child with whom she was personally acquainted. This little one had a deep love for her mother and a constant desire to show her affection. One day, while the child's mother was visiting a neighbor, little Frances, tired of looking at her story book, spied a linen handkerchief her parent had been embroidering. She picked it up and laboriously hemmed it. The mother, returning later with the neighbor, saw the work of her little girl. As she gazed upon the crude results she beheld not the awkward, uneven stitches, but the deep affection that had prompted her child to "finish" the handkerchief. Her eyes filled with tears. To her the work was beautiful. Says Velma McConnell, "How often, with hearts filled with love and eagerness to please, we too attempt to do something for our Heavenly Father. Though our work is bungled or poorly done, yet He sees the heart and the motive behind it." God who can read our innermost thoughts will reward us for every good motive and each faithful endeavor.

A converted girl of thirteen lay dying. A lady visitor asked, "Are you afraid, my child?" "Oh, no!" she replied; "but what shall I say to Jesus when I meet Him, for I seem to have never done anything for Him. You see, Mother died when I was eight. I tried to do as she had done and took care of the four little ones, kept the house tidy, and then -- I was too tired to do more!" Taking the rough little hand into her own, the visitor, with eyes full of tears, said tenderly, "I would not say anything, dear, but just show Him your hands!"

Do what you can for Jesus today, no matter how small or insignificant the deed may appear. You will reap the rewards of grace when "every man shall have praise of God."

When you have given the best of your service,

Telling the world that the Savior has come;

Be not dismayed when men don't believe you,

He'll understand; He'll say, "Well done!"



"If you praise God here, He will praise you hereafter."



... the Lord... will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1-Corinthians 4:5

Posted by Abigail Kyna Lee