Thoughts for Children from Frances Havergal
Let’s not introduce our children to man-made rules, platitudes, or religion. Let’s not introduce them to a worldview, an ideal, or a way of life. Let’s not introduce them to a god of our imagination that lives to do our bidding. Let’s introduce our children to the God, and let’s plead with Him for their souls.
—John & Misty Snyder, Behold Your God: Seeking Him Early
Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–1879) was a English hymn writer. She gave her soul to Christ at a young age and went on to live a quiet life of devotion to Christ. In addition to her many poems and hymns, including “Take My Life and Let it Be” or “Consecration Hymn,” she wrote other short devotional and evangelistic works.
This excerpt is adapted from Havergal’s devotional work for children, Little Pillows.
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever! Yes, the very same to you today that He was to the disciples who stood gazing up into heaven, when, having lifted up His hands and blessed them, He went up to the opening gates of glory. The very same to you today that He was to the little children, when He took them up in His arms and blessed them. Not a bit different! Just as kind, just as loving, just as ready to take you up too, and bless you, and keep you always safe in the arms of Jesus.
The very same to you today that He was when He said so lovingly, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Do you not feel that you would have loved Him ever so much if you had heard Him say that, and that you would have gone to Him at once, because He was so good and kind? Well, He is this same Jesus now. When you lie down, see how many sweet and gracious words and deeds of His you can recollect, and say to yourself with every one, “He is the same now, and the same for me!”
You are not always the same to Him. When He comes and knocks at the door of your heart, you are sometimes ready to open; and sometimes you give Him a cold, short, careless answer; and sometimes no answer at all. But He is always the same to you; always ready to receive you with tender love and pardon when you come to Him.
Perhaps you do not feel so happy now as you did one day when you felt that He was very near and gracious, and full of forgiving love to you. What has changed? Only your feelings, not the Lord Jesus. He is always “this same Jesus”; and you may rest on this today, and forever.
For this word, O Lord, we bless Thee,
For our Savior's changeless name;
Yesterday, today, forever,
Jesus Christ is still the same.