January 9, 2014 (Thursday)
Recently I read about a 15-year-old boy who had been in foster care his entire life who appeared before a Florida church congregation and pleaded to be adopted by somebody, anybody. When the media spread the story, thousands of requests to adopt the boy were made. The agencies are sifting through the requests to find the most suitable family for him.
I recall a story of a boy whose mother neglected him and lived a life of addiction. He said he would go into her room at night, lie down on the floor beside her bed and pretend she cared about him.
I remember another story of a man who was about to board a steamship for a long voyage. All around him were crowds of people, hugging each other and wishing their travelers well. He had no one. He found a young boy, and asked his name. “Andrew,” the boy replied. “Well, Andrew,” the traveler said as he slipped a coin into the boy’s hand, “please stand on the dock and wave goodbye to me when the boat sails away.”
Loneliness is still very much with us. Perhaps there is someone you know (or know about) who could be blessed by some action or word from you today. Or maybe you are the lonely one. If so, remember the words of an old hymn,”No, never alone. No, never alone. He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.”