Many years ago a young woman left... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Return..., says the LORD; I will not cause my anger to fall on you, because I am merciful, says the LORD.
Jeremiah 3:12.

Many years ago a young woman left the village where she lived to go to work in a big city. Her widowed mother, a believer in Christ, wondered anxiously whether her daughter Mary would lead her life there as God wished.

In her new surroundings Mary soon left the straight and narrow pathway. Her mother noticed that from her letters, which in due course became fewer, shorter and less intimate. Finally no more news arrived. Her own letters were returned marked "no longer at this address".

Mary's mother worried about her. One day she heard that her daughter had been seen in the city. She set out immediately to find her child. For days she searched in vain and was about to give up. Then she had an idea: she had her photograph taken and asked in various pubs and night clubs if they would hang up the copies. Then she returned home.

Not long after the daughter entered one of those pubs and saw the photo. "That woman looks like my mother," she thought and took a closer look. "Yes, it is her, really!" Under the photo she read the words; "Mary, I do still love you!"

Mary hadn't expected that. She could imagine how her mother had sought her in that ill-reputed quarter of the city. She remembered her happy childhood and her mother's prayers. After a struggle she decided to return home. Overjoyed, her mother held her in her arms. And her joy increased when Mary some time later accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Saviour.

Today's reading: Leviticus 3:1-17 · Psalms 49:1-11