Heritage Sabbath, October 20, 2001
Children's Story
A TIMELY MESSAGE
For many years Jesus sent messages to His children here on earth through
His messenger, Mrs. Ellen G. White. Sometimes Jesus even sent messages to
children. Once he sent a special message to Mrs. White's granddaughter, Ella
Mae. She was only 14 years old at the time.
One night when Ella came home from school she was very tired and
discouraged. Her mother had to spend so much time taking care of her new twin
baby brothers that much of the housework had become Ella's responsibility.
Consequently, Ella always seemed tired. And she never had enough time to study.
Tearfully Ella prayed, "Dear Jesus, please help me. Please take away my
unhappy feelings and give me peace." But she still didn't feel any better. It
seemed to her that Jesus wasn't near her, and that He didn't hear her prayers.
Finally Ella fell asleep feeling very sad and lonely.
A day or two later Grandma White’s carriage stopped at the front
door of Ella's home. Grandma told Ella's father to call the family together,
for she had come with a special message just for them. She also asked Ella's
mother to have one of their helpers take care of the twins. Grandma White
wanted Ella and her sister Mabel to pay attention to every word and not be
distracted by the babies. Mrs. White took out of her bag the message that she
had written that very morning and began to read.
Jesus had come to Mrs. White during the night and had spoken to her in a
vision. He told her that there was too much noise and confusion in their home.
She was also shown that they forgot to think about God and to ask His blessing
as they did their study and work. They should make more time for Bible study
and prayer. As they went about their work they were to remember that it was the
same as if they were doing it for Jesus.
Grandma White told Ella and Mabel that their mother needed their help,
and that they should be faithful in doing their chores. She told them they
should respect their mother and obey her when they were asked to do something.
Boys and girls should learn to respect and obey their parents because it is
helping them to get ready for heaven.
Ella was told that she needed to set a good example for her little
sister by being like Jesus. She was told that she should be willing to do her
home chores. If she saw something that needed to be done she should do it
without being asked. She was also told that she should keep her room neat and
clean, as well as the kitchen.
These were the very things that Ella didn't like to do, and she
certainly didn't like hearing about them right in front of the whole family.
Interrupting her grandmother, Ella asked, "Did the angel say all those things,
or did you think of them yourself as you were writing?"
Patiently Grandma replied, "The angel talked with me in the night; I
then got out of bed and dressed and wrote down the messages that were given to
me for you."
Grandma White also told Ella that she should put her books away when it
was time to do chores, and that she should not study until her chores were
done. She reminded Ella that by obeying her mother, and doing her chores
promptly and neatly, she was being a missionary. She was being like Jesus. To
Him, even little jobs in the kitchen are important The Bible tells us that when
we are faithful in doing the least important things it will help us to be true
and faithful in the most important things.
"We are told not to be discouraged," Grandma continued, "Angels are
watching to see how they can help us become more like Jesus."
Ella didn't like the message that Jesus had given to Grandma White for
her. She ran upstairs to her room, buried her face in her pillow and cried and
cried. "Why do I have to sweep and scrub and wash dishes?" she sobbed. "I need
time for studying."
And then suddenly she remembered her prayer that Jesus would help her
and take away her bad feelings. Was this His answer? Had Jesus heard the cry of
a young girl and sent an angel with the answer to her prayer? Yes. Jesus had
heard her. He did love her! He had sent His angel to give a message to her
grandmother just for her telling her how she could be better because He loved
her.
Now Ella began to cry again, but this time it was because she was sorry.
She wiped her tears away and went scurrying down to the kitchen. Because she
had been feeling so stubborn and cranky she had hidden a sticky saucepan behind
the stove. As soon as she was sure no one was looking, Ella got it and gave it
a good cleaning. It had never shone so brightly before! Then she looked around
the kitchen and straightened things up here and there. She even used some of
her new-found energy to scrub the stains from the wooden table. My, how much
better she felt!
Ella repeated the words, "He that is faithful in that which is least is
faithful also in much." From now on she would to do every chore as faithfully
and carefully as if she could look up and see Jesus standing there, watching
lovingly as she did her work.
Adapted from Over My Shoulder, by Ella White Robinson.
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