On Being a Source of Mercy and Peace

One of my daily duties at the school where I teach is to greet the buses in the morning. I'm the first one the children see when they arrive for the day. I could not help but think of the many little ones that step off the bus at my feet when I came across the following passages not long ago. Let me share them with you:

Matt 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

"There are many to whom life is a painful struggle; they feel their deficiencies and are miserable and unbelieving; they think they have nothing for which to be grateful. Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as the cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that rest heavily upon weary shoulders. And every word or deed of unselfish kindness is an expression of the love of Christ for lost humanity." E.G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 23.

As I see these little faces pouring forth from the buses, what do I know of the struggles each is going through? How many went to bed hungry the night before? How many do not have a father at home to hug them and play games with them? How many do not hear the loving voice of a mother? Which ones were beaten? How many are fearful when they leave for school, or are reluctant to return to their homes at the end of the day?

When they see me as they get off the bus, do they see an extension of that which troubles them, or do they see in me and my colleagues a safe haven, a cup of fresh water for their souls? We may not be able to speak of Christ (it is a public school), but we can be Christ to them for the few minutes we share with them each day. Each of us needs to watch for opportunities to give a smile or an encouraging word, for with this many children around, the chance to be a source of mercy and comfort will come bouncing up to us very soon.

God bless, and go forth looking to be a source of mercy and peace.

Dr.G