Morning Thought
Thursday January 3rd 2013
Good morning.
I have recently returned from Romania where I gave out the Mustard Seed
Jersey Christmas shoeboxes.
One of the more unusual and challenging distributions was in a state run
orphanage for children and young people with learning difficulties. As a
charity we had packed special boxes for these young people as their boxes need
different contents from other young people their age.
It is rare to be allowed into these orphanages or homes, normally they
are closed to the public. The only reason I was allowed in is because Mustard
Seed has helped them in the past and now had Christmas shoeboxes for
them.
There must have been 14 or 15 young people, all with learning
difficulties and other needs; half of them shuffled or crawled, some could
walk. As soon as I arrived young people flocked round me to hold my hand,
stroke my arm, all desperate for love, all wanting to be hugged.
The Christmas shoeboxes were a big success, especially the soft flashing
balls and other flashing toys. And the chocolate we gave them separately. But
most of all these young people wanted love. The toys would be there another
time, but now they had visitors who showed love, smiled, held their hands,
showed interest in them, put an arm round them. The most important thing we
gave was ourselves and the fact that we offered love for a short time while we
were there.
They cried when we left.
We all need love. Need to receive love and need to give love.
Stop and think for a minute : is
there anyone you know who would be encouraged if you demonstrated your love
today.