MORNING THOUGHT THURSDAY October 1^st 2009

During the Morning Thoughts this week, I hope I will succeed in challenging you to stop and think about how much we have here in Jersey and the west and then out of thankfulness to consider doing something to make a difference to those in need.

Last year those of us privileged to give out the Mustard Seed Christmas shoeboxes in Romania have some very special memories.

We saw countless children with smiles from ear to ear clutching their precious box tightly, we heard screams of delight as they opened their boxes and found the contents. We were aware many of the children were wearing their best clothes as it was a special day when they received what would be their only Christmas present. Those boxes really were a highlight in the children’s lives – helping them forget the daily hardship and struggles for a time.

But for several of us the most moving was the sight of needy pensioners opening their boxes, seeing the tears of joy roll down their faces – we saw how a simple shoebox eased the hardship and suffering they regularly experienced. We had tears in our eyes when one little old lady, crippled with arthritis and with very swollen feet said she had prayed there would be slippers in her box as she needed them so badly. Although very few boxes had slippers in, that pensioner’s box DID have a pair of mule type slip on slippers and amazingly they fitted her perfectly!

That is what is so incredible with Christmas shoeboxes, often they do contain just what the child or pensioner needed and wanted! In my opinion having distributed Christmas shoeboxes for 14 years, I believe God does have a hand in helping us give the right box to the right child or pensioner, because otherwise the co-incidences are just too far fetched to be possible.

Can I encourage you to consider packing a Christmas shoebox whether for Mustard Seed or another charity. And if you do then why not offer up a prayer that the contents of your box will be just what the recipient needs. Information leaflets about Mustard Seed Christmas shoeboxes are available from the Parish Halls.

Mother Teresa said “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving. We have to share with people. Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing. Jesus made it very clear when He said. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to Me. Give a glass of water, you give it to Me. Receive a little child, you receive Me...”

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