Which Loved Best
by Joy Allison

"I love you mother," said little John;
Then, forgetting work his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

"I love you, mother," said rosy Nell;
"I love you better than tongue can tell;"
Then she teased and pouted full half the day,
Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.

"I love you, mother," said little Fran;
"today I'll help you all I can;
How glad I am that school doesn't keep!"
So she rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

"I love you, mother," again they said -
Three little children going to bed;
How do you think that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?

Recently, one of my students memorized and recited this poem for the state academic meet. After hearing the poem many times, the Lord impressed this thought upon my heart - "Which of these characters portrays my real heart attitude toward God?" Oh no, not just my spoken attitude, but my heart attitude.

Am I like "little John"? Am I a Christian who claims to love the Lord and professes a desire to serve Him, but when opportunities arise, will allow them to slip away to pursue tasks I deem more interesting? As a teacher, do I miss "teachable moments" because I have a curriculum to "get through"?

Do I fall into the "rosy Nell" category? Am I so consumed with me that, while I may notice areas of service that need to be filled, I don't have time for them because I must see to my needs, my plans, my job, my thoughts, my…? Do I walk past people who may be searching, hurting, or lonely because I have tasks that I must accomplish?

My desire is to be a "little Fran"; one whose life walk matches the life's talk. As I say "I love You, Lord", does my Heavenly Father bear witness of my spirit that my words are true (Rom. 8:16, I Sam. 16:7, Jer. 17:10, Prov. 16:2-3)? Do my actions exemplify my love of God (I Tim. 4:12-13, Mt. 7:17-23)? Perhaps my actions point to the fact that my love for God is smoldering, not burning, and the fire needs to be fanned (James 1:26,27; Mt. 6:19-24). Am I hungering and thirsting after God and His changing power in my life (Ps. 42:1-5; 63:1)? Am I walking in the Spirit and not after the flesh (Gal. 5:16,17)? Am I bearing fruit (Jn. 15:1-8,16)?

While I am sure that each of the children represented by the poem loved their mother, the degree of love was demonstrated by their actions. What do my actions demonstrate about my love for God?

God knows which of His children love Him best. (Ps. 1:6, 2 Tim. 2:19)

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