Oh That Little Nan! | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Oh That Little Nan! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Verna Cole Mitchell
02/03/15
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I couldn't stand Little Nan. She was a girl in a poem my mother used to recite to me when I was a child. Written by an anonymous author, the poem was titled “Which Loved Her Best?”

In the poem, Little Nell told her mother she loved her better than tongue could tell, but she teased and pouted half the day till her mother was glad when she went to play. Little John, too, told his mother he loved her, but he forgot his work and went out to the garden swing, leaving her the water and the wood to bring.

But that little Nan! She said to her mother, “I love you, Mother. Today I’ll help you all I can.” Busy and happy all day long, she rocked the baby till it fell asleep, then took the broom and swept the floor and tidied the room. She was as helpful and happy as a child could be. (She was the one that was not like me.)

Before the children went to bed, they all said again, “I love you, Mother.” The poet concluded the poem by asking how the reader knew that Mother could guess which one loved her best.

This poem was Mother’s message to try to shame me into being helpful, instead of shirking my chores and going out to play or hiding in my room to read.

In thinking about this poem, I wondered if I show my love to God through my actions, or am I a “lazy Christian”? Those are the ones who are not busy working for God’s kingdom. While my good works do not grant salvation, they indicate, as I help others, that I love God and have a desire to please Him.

Solomon had plenty to say about laziness, including these warnings and suggestions:
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied” Proverbs 13:4.
“A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man” Proverbs 6:10-11.
“Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise” Proverbs 6:6.

Paul advised Christians not to be lazy:
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” Romans 12:11.
“making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:16.

My favorite exhortation on laziness, though, is found in Hebrews 6:12:
“so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Even though my mother was disappointed when I did not follow Little Nan’s example, she loved me and forgave me. I do not want to disappoint my Lord by failing in any way in my dedication and service to Him. Yet I have a sure confidence that He loves me always and will forgive me.

Scripture References: ESV

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