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20/11/2019
A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with the Archdeacon of Bangor, Mary Stallard
Last on
Wed 20 Nov 201905:43
BBC Radio 4
Script:
Good morning. I love the direct way that children often communicate.
Recently I visited a school where my husband who’s also a priest goes regularly. I introduced myself to the children showing me around, “I’m Mary, married to Reverend Andrew, the tall vicar who comes here”, a small boy looked at me quizzically, “really?“ He said, “he’s never mentioned you!”
He led me to the school pond where a group had caught some large bugs in nets, “would you like to hold one?” I was asked “Absolutely not!” I thought, but they seemed so keen. I tentatively reached out and held the creature. The children said it was a dragonfly nymph, a teacher explained it can live in the pond for years, before taking wing as an adult. It made me think of the children at that school, who in the same timeframe are also growing and changing, preparing to move on.
I was so glad I’d held that insect, not just because I’d overcome my fears, I also noticed how holding it, made me more attentive in learning about it. And how the curiosity and wonder of the children had helped me.
Today’s set aside by the United Nations as Universal Children’s Day, established in 1954 it aims to promote children's rights and welfare.
We’ve recently heard the voices of many children who’ve been prominent in environmental campaigns, showing concern and taking action. Their participation chimes in for me with some ancient words from the Bible which say: “and a little child shall lead them.”
It seems to me that as well as needing to protect children we’ve much to learn from them.
Creator God, thank you for the blessings children bring to the world. Help us nurture and protect them, open our hearts and minds to learn more from and with children about the wonder of life. Amen.
Recently I visited a school where my husband who’s also a priest goes regularly. I introduced myself to the children showing me around, “I’m Mary, married to Reverend Andrew, the tall vicar who comes here”, a small boy looked at me quizzically, “really?“ He said, “he’s never mentioned you!”
He led me to the school pond where a group had caught some large bugs in nets, “would you like to hold one?” I was asked “Absolutely not!” I thought, but they seemed so keen. I tentatively reached out and held the creature. The children said it was a dragonfly nymph, a teacher explained it can live in the pond for years, before taking wing as an adult. It made me think of the children at that school, who in the same timeframe are also growing and changing, preparing to move on.
I was so glad I’d held that insect, not just because I’d overcome my fears, I also noticed how holding it, made me more attentive in learning about it. And how the curiosity and wonder of the children had helped me.
Today’s set aside by the United Nations as Universal Children’s Day, established in 1954 it aims to promote children's rights and welfare.
We’ve recently heard the voices of many children who’ve been prominent in environmental campaigns, showing concern and taking action. Their participation chimes in for me with some ancient words from the Bible which say: “and a little child shall lead them.”
It seems to me that as well as needing to protect children we’ve much to learn from them.
Creator God, thank you for the blessings children bring to the world. Help us nurture and protect them, open our hearts and minds to learn more from and with children about the wonder of life. Amen.
Broadcast
- Wed 20 Nov 201905:43BBC Radio 4
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