Thought for the Week

It is such a privilege and a joy to work with children. I can guarantee if I’m feeling down or depressed, the best remedy for the blues is time with young people.

They have such a zest for life and such an enthusiastic outlook.

Dostoyevsky said: ‘The soul is healed by being with children.’

Having the privilege of being part of Rhunahaorine and Glenbarr primary schools, I learn much from the young people.

From sharing with the little ones in the early learning centre in Rhunahaorine to the P7s in both schools, I always come away feeling so much better.

Tayinloan Youth Club brings me laughter and fun and the children there are an example to everyone with their sense of fair play and willingness to help.

One youngster had written to her MPs about her concerns about the environment and proudly showed me her positive responses.

Jesus said: ‘Let the children come to me,’ and he was most annoyed when his disciples tried to stop them.

Children were drawn to Jesus and I think he must have had great fun with them. I think he must have told great stories, made them feel important and welcomed them unconditionally.

‘Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven,’ said a minister one day, and what a lovely image that is.

In a world where there is so much pain, so much darkness, so much trouble, let us look to the children. Let us go with them and experience their joy, fun, mischief and exuberance.

So this ‘Thought’ is a thank you to all the children out there who make my life richer, better and more meaningful.