THE VIDEO OF A SYRIAN BOY THAT COULD CHANGE THE WORLD

There are certain people that I enjoy being around more than others. Without fail, if asked to describe them, one word that would come up repeatedly would be kind.

I’m trying to teach my children to be the best people they can be. More often than not, I find myself saying to them, ‘Please be kind to one another.’

Last week, a video emerged of a young boy. About the age of one of my sons, he was being carried out of a pile of rubble (presumably his house), shocked into numbness.

His face shows no panic or pain, despite the chaos around him and the blood flowing down his face from his head wound.

His completely neutral expression as he sits still in the ambulance is one of the most upsetting sights I can remember ever having seen.

And I found out this morning that his older brother has since died.

I understand the whole world doesn’t agree on everything, and that has led to conflict. But as I see images and stories revealing the true horrors of those conflicts’ results, I’m ever more convinced that building walls and attacking those who are somewhat unlike me doesn’t make the world a safer place.

Put simply, I wish that the world was kinder to each other.

I feel indescribably helpless when it comes to the Middle East – I have too little knowledge, and too little influence. But what I know is that I can be kind to those who are in my life, and pray that others will do the same.

Who wants to join me?

The Bible tells us that one of the fruit of the Spirit is kindness. In other words: if I try to be kind, I will fail. But if I look to God for everything, kindness will grow naturally.

Please gather with us on Sunday, to receive from God and to practice kindness to one another and the whole borough!

HOW I WAS HUMBLED BY A HUNGRY, HOMELESS MAN

At 6am this morning I was sitting in Kings Cross station, gratefully tucking into a cheese, ham and tomato croissant.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and, turning around, was greeted by a man around my age. He explained that he was homeless and hungry, trying to get some money to buy some breakfast.

Very understandable.

Immediately, I stood up and asked him what he’d like, but there was a problem. I was sitting in a Pret a Manger, and he wanted McDonald’s breakfast. The closest McDonald’s was outside the station, and he didn’t want me to miss my train.

Not a problem, I explained. I was early for my train, and had just finished my croissant, so was happy to walk with him.

He said he really didn’t want to trouble me, and walked away.

I sat down - on one level disappointed I wasn’t able to help, but on another level pleased - and proud - that I had done the right thing in not giving cash when I didn’t really know how he was going to spend it.

In fact, his walking away clearly proved that he wasn’t that hungry.

He probably wanted that money to buy drugs and mess his life up even more.

And then, after a while, I started to actually think.

This man was my age, and clearly had been homeless for some time - no-one introduces themselves as homeless unless they’ve come to accept that about themselves. He was already putting himself in a vulnerable position by asking members of the public for loose change, and I was offering to shame him further by proudly handing my gleaming credit card to an assistant at McDonald’s.

No wonder he walked away with an excuse – on reflection, I probably would have too.

How often do I judge people based on the way they look, then see all evidence through that judgmental filter?

How often do you?

In front of God, we could all see ourselves as shame-filled sinners, yet he chooses to see us as being clothed with honour, adopted as his children.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to resolve to see others as God sees them, rather than through whatever lens we’ve crafted in our mind.

And this Sunday as we gather, let’s remember the shame that his son Jesus took upon himself for our sake, and the honour in which we’re now clothed. Who can fail to celebrate in wonder at that?!