Morning Thought 2 for Tuesday July 9th 2013
Good morning
I have recently come back from a trip to Romania. During the time there
I was privileged to accompany the social workers as they visited some of the
elderly who were house-bound. The food parcels had already been delivered and
the purpose of this visit was to bring comfort and ease the loneliness so many
felt.
It was obvious the social workers were well loved and accepted by the
people. We talked for a little hearing the news – no! To be correct they talked
and I listened as the social worker kindly translated key words for me.
One man suffering from severely swollen and ulcerated legs was facing
having his electricity cut off as his pension did not stretch to cover his
medication, food, rent and utilities. If you don't pay on time the service is
stopped, so if your rent is in arrears you could be thrown onto the streets.
Very different from the services we in Jersey take for granted
Before we left each one, we offered to pray for them which was accepted eagerly. In each place the elderly person did
not want us to leave as they were lonely. Probably we were the only person they
would talk to that day, maybe for the next few days.
Mother Teresa said "The most
terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved ".
And in Jersey there are many lonely people. Maybe you could stop and
think if there is anyone who you could cheer and help by stopping to talk, to
visit and make a difference to someone's life today.