20 August 2009
Posted in
Illustrations
"I would not mind those children coming here, if they weren't so destructive." The speaker was a church trustee who, as a member of the board shared the responsibility of keeping the physical property in good shape. He was talking about the programs that attracted children of downtown Washington from off the streets.
I sympathized with his feelings. After all, church furniture costs money and should be treated with respect. "But," I reminded him, "most of these children come from homes where there is very little furniture, and they are not taught to respect what little furniture they own. We can't wait until they are perfect little ladies and gentlemen before we let them come through our doors. Their only hope is for someone to love them as they are, for the sake of what they can become with the right kind of guidance and love."
That of course is our hope. If God had to wait until we are all perfect before loving us, we'd never know his love.
