Morning Thought 3 - 2013 Jan
Wednesday January 2nd
Good morning.
I have recently returned from distributing Mustard Seed Jersey Christmas
shoeboxes. Although I have been handing out Christmas Shoeboxes for the last 17
years in Eastern Europe, it still moves me to see the recipients’ joy as they
receive their boxes. The pensioners may weep and kiss your hand. The children
are the most varied in their responses. On Monday I told you of the child's
huge excitement and anticipation at the thought of receiving what was
undoubtedly her only Christmas gift.
I saw another girl, maybe aged 10
or 11 who received her box in school. The children all opened their boxes with
whoops of joy and shouts. But this girl opened it very very
carefully, with great respect. She took out each item and examined it. Then
silently and very carefully she packed every item back into the box. She
carefully put it in her bag making sure it was safe, ready to take home. What
struck me the most was the great respect and care she took with her box. She didn't rip it open, she carefully undid the tape.
Then she re-packed it carefully and put it in her bag.
You can see what people value their possessions by how they look after
them. You can tell what is most important to us by how we look after it, how
much time we give to it. That includes our relationships.
How much time do you or do I invest in our most
precious relationships? That should include our relationship with God.