When I was a teenager I’m pretty sure I was hard work for my
parents (sorry). I remember that on a few occasions when struggling to cope
with an emotional situation I hid in my room. I also remember being so mad with
my parents that I was determined to run away from home... I got as far as the
top of the stairs!
Many families are loving, caring and safe places for
children to grow up in, and the misunderstandings and adolescent behaviour can
be worked through and resolved. However some home environments are far from
positive. They can sometimes be toxic, abusive and claustrophobic. As a child,
young or mature adult, where do you retreat to when faced with these
circumstances?
About 327,000 people are reported missing to the authorities
in the UK every year.[i]
People run away for a number of reasons, traumatic experiences, feeling unable
to cope, trapped or powerless.
Hiding can often be a short term coping strategy. When we’re
unable to face a particular event, person or group we retreat from it and find
shelter elsewhere. If that which is causing you distress is your home
environment then people go missing, leaving their homes behind and often
heading for the main cities to hide in anonymity.
Sometimes the people we see at Glasgow City Mission are
hiding. They’ve left behind traumatic situations that are too difficult for
them to deal with at this stage. They are vulnerable and need love and care. As
much as we’d like to, it’s too cheap and awkward a leap to draw parallels with
Jesus’ story of the prodigal son.[ii]
For the prodigal doesn’t leave out of the pressure of broken environment, he
left a loving and safe environment out of rebellion and selfishness.
So while those that go missing are not the prodigal, we can respond
like the ‘father’ in the story. How we treat people on their return matters.
The son in the narrative fears rebuke and chastisement on his return, yet the
father extends love, mercy, grace and honour to the son.
A recent study by Glasgow and Dundee Universities revealed
that statistically people were far less likely to go missing again if they were
treated sympathetically when they return.[iii]
Not all environments are safe to return to, however it is a
challenge to us when we think of the reasons that people end up on the streets
or in hostels in Glasgow. Who will welcome them back into community? We’re
passionate about creating a welcoming, safe and loving environment here at
Glasgow City Mission. We’re also delighted to have three qualified counsellors
helping our guest work through traumas. For some, Glasgow City Mission has
become their new family.
