Life Sketches Manuscript

A Little Girl and Her Parasol

My attention was attracted to a little girl who seemed to be in great distress. Her face would pale and flush by turns, as though she were passing through a severe conflict. Tightly clasped in her arms was a pretty little parasol. Occasionally she would loosen her hold on it for a moment, as if about to let it fall, then her grasp would tighten on it again; all the time she seemed to be regarding it with a peculiar fascination. LSMS 19.4

At last she cried out, “Dear Jesus, I want to love Thee and go to heaven! Take away my sins! I give myself to Thee parasol and all.” She threw herself into her mother's arms, weeping and exclaiming, “Ma, I am so happy, for Jesus loves me, and I love Him better than my parasol or anything else.” LSMS 19.5

The face of the child was fairly radiant. She had surrendered her little all. In her childish experience she had fought the battle, and won the victory. There was much weeping and rejoicing in the tent. The mother was deeply moved, and very joyful that the Lord had added her dear child as a lamb to His fold. LSMS 20.1

She explained to those present that her little daughter had received the parasol as a present not long before; she was very much delighted with it, and had kept it in her hands most of the time, even taking it to bed with her. During the meeting her tender heart had been moved to seek the Saviour. She had heard that nothing must be withheld from Jesus; that nothing short of an entire surrender of ourselves and all we have would be acceptable to Him. LSMS 20.2

The little parasol was the child's earthly treasure, upon which her heart was set, and in the struggle to give it up to the Lord, she had passed through a trial keener, perhaps, than that of the mature Christian who sacrifices this world's treasures for the sake of Christ. LSMS 20.3

It was afterward explained to the little girl that since she had relinquished her parasol to Jesus, and it no longer stood between herself and her love for Him, it was right for her to retain it and use it in a proper manner. LSMS 20.4

Many times in after life that little incident has been brought to mind. When I have seen men and women holding desperately to the riches and vanity of earth, yet anxiously praying for the love of Christ, I have thought, “How hard it is to give up the parasol!” Yet Jesus gave up heaven for our sake, and became poor, that we, through His poverty and humiliation, might secure eternal riches. LSMS 20.5