One of the family was a little lad who was weak-minded, and him
the father and mother specially loved. Yet there was little
response to their affection. But one day, when the other
children were gathering flowers and bringing them to their
parents, the poor little lad gathered a bundle of dry sticks and
brought them to his father. “I valued those sticks,” said the
father afterward, “far more than the fairest flowers.” We are
not all equally gifted--some can bring lovely flowers to God’s
service and honor; others can only gather dry sticks. But even
the “cup of cold water” is accepted by Him. (Text.)
(1926)