Hattie Waitt was a small child. Neither strong nor big for her years, she seemed to possess a remarkable love for the Lord at a very young age. The poverty that she was born into would have discouraged many children, but Hattie was born different. She did not long for fancy clothes or a nice house. In her playtime she did not spend aimless hours pretending that her family had a great title. Hattie's only thoughts were toward her beloved Lord Jesus.
She wasn't exactly sure how little girls could serve the Lord. Of course, she knew to be polite and not to act irresponsibly, but Hattie longed for a more fulfilling way to be a Christian. One day she noticed children going to Sunday school. Instantly, her heart told her that this was indeed a fine way to be a Christian.
It took a little bit of time, but Hattie finally got the nerve to ask the Sunday school teacher if she could come to church too. The teacher gave a very pleasant smile and informed Hattie that there was simply no room for her in their small building. Hattie's heart was broken.
Her heartache would not last forever. The small girl's health began deteriorating rapidly. In less than two years, she was dead.
Not until after her death, was it known just how much being refused at Sunday school had affected little Hattie. Under her pillow was found a torn pocketbook with fifty-seven pennies in it. The pennies were wrapped in a note that read, "To help build the little Temple bigger, so that more children can go to Sunday school."
Hattie had secretly been saving every penny that she received for the past two years so that the very church that refused her, could grow. Hattie understood what Easter represents. It's not the family get-togethers, or the egg hunt, or even the long sermons. It's the gift of self-sacrifice that we are celebrating.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of self-sacrificing love. He allowed Himself to be beaten, battered, and murdered. And all of those sacrifices were for us. Without this ultimate gift, our chance for salvation would have never come. Our souls would be lost and we would all be headed for a devil's hell.
I pray that children will hear, in vivid detail, about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter Sunday. Like little Hattie, they may be searching for things that they can't find. They too, may find themselves standing at the church door, asking to be let in. I pray that this time, the child at the door won't be refused. |
