5 Morning
Thought Friday October 6th
As I look at
one of Mustard Seed Jersey’s collection tins, a brightly smiling face looks at
me. On one side the picture is a smiling child holding a Christmas shoebox,
while on the other side is a smiling woman holding a loaf of bread. That sums
up our Christmas appeal, the shoeboxes to provide some fun, money for winter
fuel to keep people warm and money for food to feed them to keep them alive.
Sometimes
people say to me that Charity begins at home and that Mustard Seed should focus
on needs in this island rather than overseas. I certainly I know there is need
in this island; I have friends who help with regular food distributions in
Jersey at SVP, Grace Trust, Shelter Trust
and many other local outreaches. If Mustard Seed receives items
unsuitable for shipment to Romania, we pass them on to a local charity.
We are so
blessed in in Jersey by the number of organisations who work to ease suffering
and provide opportunities locally on this island. It is different in Romania. My
personal belief is that that is the greatest difference between Jersey and
Romania – there are many opportunities to receive a
helping hand in Jersey when it is needed, but not so in Romania. In that
country, there are comparatively few organisations to reach out and offer that
helping hand to the poorest of the poor.
I end this
week’s morning thoughts quoting from Mother Teresa:
At the end of life we will
not be judged by how many diplomas we have received,
how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be
judged by the words of Jesus "I was hungry, and you gave me something to
eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in”
What
will the verdict be on you? On me?