Morning thought 1 Monday January 21st 2019
Whenever I go to Romania with Mustard Seed Jersey I always come back
with a number of photographs and these brings back memories.
This morning I want to share with you about the two photographs that I found
most rewarding from my recent trip to Romania in December.
The first photo I’ll share is of a small boy possibly aged about eight,
sitting at a desk in a classroom. He has an enormous smile on his face and with
both hands he is holding his shoebox tight against his cheek. I remember how I
was struck by the sheer joy in his face and brightness of his smile.
The second photo I share is of an older woman, maybe in her seventies.
She is sat with a group and like the boy she is holding her shoe box with two
hands against her cheek with a smile of joy on her face. I remember her, and I
remember the look of relief and joy as she was given a Christmas shoebox. I
noticed that woman. I was struck by how she reverently held her shoebox with
both hands and caressed it with her cheek.
As I look at both those photos, I see how both the child’s and the adult’s
hands are possessively around that shoebox and somehow the very way they hold
it speaks more loudly than the words and smile about the preciousness of a simple
shoebox.
I really value this opportunity to say thank you to everybody who gave
in any way to the shoebox appeal, whether it cost you financially or cost you
time. Your gift of love was appreciated. Thank you.