MORNING THOUGHT for Wednesday 19th November
Good morning. Like many others I enjoy looking through photos especially
from my aid trips with Mustard Seed Jersey. I remember the significance or the
memory attached to those photos.
But possibly my favourite photo of all time is of an unknown child
smiling from ear to ear as he held up his Christmas shoebox. The sparkle in his
eyes spoke of his happiness and the joy on his face was undisputable.
Like many others this lad comes from a poor family – rich in love but
not in material possessions. Like the rest of his class he was thrilled when he
heard Christmas shoeboxes were coming to his school, because he knew that meant
he would get a Christmas gift. He had come to school that day knowing it was
the day the shoeboxes should arrive, and anticipating his dream coming true. Finally
just a few minutes before the end of the school day the team arrived with
shoeboxes.
Some of the children opened their boxes immediately in the classroom,
unable to wait. Others like this boy held his box intact, to take home and
share the joy of opening his present with his family. And his smile spoke of
his joy and of his relief that we had arrived and that his dream had come true
as he held what was his one and only Christmas gift in his hands.
Using the prayer of
St Francis of Assisi: Lord make a channel of Your
peace, where there is sadness let me bring joy Amen.