If it were my son...

I have three wonderful children.

Our children give us more joy than anything else. Despite often feeling inadequate as parents, we live for our kids; I spent most of last Saturday on the floor laughing with them until my belly hurt. They are rapidly going through all the different stages of life, encountering emotionally and sometimes physical bruises on the way. However we want to give them the best start in life.

When we send them off to school we get nervous for them and wonder what or who will rob them of a little bit more of their innocence. We pray. A good friend once suggested that I should think about my children like ‘piggy banks’: “The world will rob them most days, but as long as you keep putting more in than is ever robbed from them they’ll always be in credit” We’ve tried to equip our children the best we can, instilling in them the faith and values that are important to us. We give them over to God, they are His.

My kids attend a great school which has pupils from all backgrounds, some of very troubled backgrounds. Sadly you can often see that reflected in the children, their behaviour, attitudes and fears. It’s all too easy for me to look at these scenarios and wonder what lies ahead for some of these children. Children that look just like my own, children that are at the same stage as mine. Children that seek love and affirmation just like mine. Statistically speaking my kids might have  better chances, but they too could easily fall foul of the brokenness of our world – I ache at the thought.

What would I do if one day I turn around to see one of my children, caught in addiction, homelessness, hunger, debt and violence? 

We are all someone’s child!

Yesterday I sat in a room full of the most influential people involved in homelessness in Glasgow. The group’s ability to change and delivery new strategies is significant, its desire to make changes is backed up by large budgets and the people in that room want to make a difference.

Each meeting we sit through statistic after statistic about some of the poorest people in Glasgow. Sometimes I forget that each number is a person, someone’s child: someone’s precious precious child. What would I do today differently if they were my children?

I believe that God is crying out saying “They are my children!” I believe that God weeps. Have you ever walked passed someone begging on the streets? We feel uncomfortable. If we’re brave we buy a cup of coffee and return with it for them, but all too often we walk passed making them feel invisible. I keep in my pocket some of Glasgow City Mission’s “Can we Help” cards.  These allow me to sit down and give a card to someone who is begging. In doing so I can explain all the ways in which we can help – starting with food. I want to live in a world where people feel it’s really important to sit, talk and understand how we can offer real help to people who need it, because one day it might be my son.

If you’d like some “Can we Help” cards contact the Glasgow City Mission office at info@glasgowcitymission.com The cards are free but we suggest a donation of £1 per card as this covers the cost of the first of many meals that we provide.