Mary's Story

 

 It was late autumn and Mary had had one of those days where just about everything seemed to go wrong. There had been one delay after another but at last she was finished. Now however, before she could go home, she had to pop into town and buy a jumper for her husband. It had been a near catastrophe, for in the panic of the day she had nearly forgotten tomorrow was his birthday.

 Not only was it a bitterly cold day, but as she stepped outside the office it started to rain; not heavy, just the sort of drizzle that soaks you right through. Agitated and impatient she hurried along the main road, her only thought being to get home and in the warm. She crossed the road, went into the covered walkway, and closed her umbrella. As she walked through the arcade, she passed a boy of 15 or 16 years old who was sitting on the ground with a sleeping bag covering him up to his waist. As she approached, he pulled his jacket closer round him and his hat down over his ears. It was an involuntary action, one just to increase the protection from the wind that whistled through the corridor.

 “Got the price of a cup of tea, lady?” He called to Mary, and then continued, “Its cold lady, and it’ll be a long night.”

 Mary really couldn't be bothered and just wanted to get home. Walking by she looked down on him impatiently and before she could stop herself, found she was speaking her thoughts aloud. So it was with some contempt, she replied irritably. “It’s probably your own fault, you lot are all the same, buying drugs or glue, your type always does.” It made her feel better to take her agitation out on someone and he would do, after all, he was just another ‘drop-out’ and probably used to it!

 She was about to continue on her way, when something caught her attention.

It was his eyes. Not only did they have a sad, resigned look, there was also something about them that seemed so familiar, and yet, couldn’t be. She shrugged off the thought and as she hesitated, realised he was saying he wasn’t like that and had nowhere to go.

“They were gonna put me in one of them ’omes, so I dun a runner.  Just 50p for a cuppa, lady.”

Mary softened, then threw some coins from her pocket down at him, and walked on. But, those eyes stayed in her mind! Such sad eyes, not really empty but shutting out hurt or loss; and yet, still hauntingly familiar. As she continued on her way, thoughts cascaded through her mind, remembering when she had been about his age. She had had all sorts of teenage problems, you know, the seemingly insurmountable ones. Had it really been all those years ago when she had secretly got a live-in job and then one night, when her mum and dad were in bed, she packed and left. She’d written them a letter saying she’d be okay, but couldn’t stand the pressure any more, that she would call them. Somehow she had never got round to it, and as time went by it got harder to call and then, well; she just got on with her life. She had met Bob and gone with him to Canada where he was working at the time, married him, and made a career for herself. Then last year, they had returned to settle back in England, financially comfortable with a nice home and were contented and happy.

 However, the boy stayed on her mind and although now nearly home, she was uneasy and realised there was something gnawing at her to go back. Turning round, she thought a thousand and one thoughts, but it was with sadness she remembered how, while still at home, she had mixed with the wrong crowd, got into trouble and how her parents, supportive but strict, had stuck by her.

However and despite all this, the problems still seemed impossibly huge and she’d been rebellious, young and wanted to see the world. She also remembered how scared she had been at his age and often quite lonely too.

Perhaps like her, in his immaturity he had felt the solution was to leave home.

 When she got back to the arcade the boy was still there, shivering slightly and with his head lowered. She felt awkward as she approached him, and fumbling in her purse and clearing her throat said; “I've some more loose change here.....if you want it?”

“Thanks,” said the boy, who smiled and slightly raised his eyebrows, again in a sort of familiar way.

 She turned to walk away, but then, turning back she asked. “Why were they going to put you into a home then?” She tried to look casual, but inside felt an urgent strange curiosity; she just had to know.

 “Well,” he said. “Me grandparents, they brought me up like, but they died.

Car crash it were. I was the only survivor and well, there ain’t no one else! I got a mum somewhere, but she left when I was a baby and they never heard from her again. They tried to find her for years. Always said they loved her, and.....and that I would too, but she just disappeared, and ’ere I am.”

 Mary’s heart lurched, nearly stopped and her stomach suddenly developed butterflies! Then regaining her composure she asked him, very quietly, what his grandparents’ names had been.

 The boy looked at her sadly and replied. “Sid and Margaret; Sid and Margaret Shepherd. Me mum’s name was Mary. I'm supposed to look like her.

Got the same eyes, me gran used to say.”

 It was then, that Mary knew. “I have two surprises for you young man, David isn’t it?”

 He looked at her warily before nodding, wondering how this woman knew his name.

“Well David, I think I have some good news for you, hopefully very good news. We’re not too far from my home, you can get warm, and I can give you a hot meal. Then perhaps we can chat awhile because I would like to get to know you better too. So, no tricks but I would like you to come with me right now, get warm and then I can tell you about the second surprise.”

 …………I wonder how many of you would have ignored that boy, how many of you would have gone back? Strangely, there have been times when I’ve had that feeling to return, to go back to some unfortunate soul. I have always obeyed, given a few coins or some food, and although nothing as dramatic as my story has happened, I have always felt better afterwards. I believe God speaks to us all, we just have to be aware and obey. That’s the love of God.

 

Possibly, they may be crying tears you can’t see, be isolated and alone, yet be surrounded by people.

 So be aware and listen, be like Jesus; you may be the only healer that’s available to help lift their burden today, and when you lift their burden, God will lift yours.

In Galatians 6:2 it says “....Carry each others burdens and fulfil the law of Christ...” and in Ephesians 6:8 it says “...knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whatever his status....”

That's the love of God!

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A PRAYER TO REBUILD RELATIONSHIPS

Thank you Lord, that when we pray, we know we can say sorry. Sorry, not only for those recent times where we have strayed, but also for our mistakes of long ago. Thank you Lord that you give us the opportunity to rebuild and renew relationships. Thank you for the love of our families and friends, but most of all, thanks you for your everlasting love.

Amen.