“Mummy, why do you read the Bible so much,” asked Mary; “haven’t you read it all through?”
“Yes, a great many times, my dear,” said her mother.
“Well, then, you must know all there is in it by this time, so why do you read it every day?”
“Do you remember last summer, Mary, and the long holiday you spent away from home?”
“Yes, I do.”
“You told me that when you got a letter from home, you used to read it over and over until it was almost worn. Why did you do that when you knew all that was in the letter?”
“Why, mummy, because it gave me pleasure, and made me think about home, and you, and father.”
“Well, my dear, I read over some parts of the Bible that I have read many, many times before, for the same reason, that it reminds me of heaven, and my Saviour, and my heavenly Father. Also of what He wishes me to do; and therefore I love to read.”
“Is heaven my home too, mummy?” asked Mary wonderingly. “Will you take me with you when you go?”
“I cannot tell you, my dear. I cannot give you leave to go to heaven, but I know who can.”
“Ah, you mean the Lord Jesus, don’t you mummy?”
“Yes, you must ask Him, and you must read and learn to understand this Book which is like a letter from Him to us, to tell us all about Himself and about the salvation which will fit us for heaven. When you can, I hope you will love to read the Bible as much as I do.”