Sometimes we are bowled over by something very simple and very beautiful. A ‘phone call from a grandchild to tell her grandparents she had received a “Head Teachers Award” would not make the headlines but would have a profound effect upon the hearers far greater than any media news item. Last weeks Gospel reading contained that famous passage ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. The award had been given for a piece of R E homework. The 10 year old had was asked to explain what made her happy. “My Mum and Dad, my brother and sister (with whom a healthy degree of sibling rivalry is sometimes evident). My teachers, friends, Brownies, my pets. The final sentence read

“Grandparents: my grandparents are like old superstars, I love them” Her parents were moved to tears as they read what she had written, by the love with no strings and simple wisdom that was evident. Our readings this week lead our thinking on; Hebrews 4:v15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested” The Rich young man of this weeks Gospel story had lost the ability to recognise what is true wealth, his ability to follow the rules would not get him to wherever it was he thought he wanted to be. Jesus said “whatever you ask in my name I will give you, that is to my Fathers glory” A timely reminder perhaps that God gives us what we need, not what we want, something a 10 year old instinctively understands but we as adults are apt to forget.