On Thursday morning two weeks ago, just before the extreme bout of tiredness hit forecasting the virus that was to keep me company for the next week, I was on morning duty and due to the rain was positioned undercover where our parents kiss and drop their children in the mornings.
Well, that morning it seemed that every parent decided to drive their children to school : )) The line of cars weaving the way in through the gates seemed never ending and so for quite a while I had the opportunity to see family after family arrive, organise themselves to get out of the car (some more quickly than others ; ) and then farewell each other as parents and children went their separate ways. Some children literally spilled out of the family car, drink bottles dropping at their feet and rolling under the car. Others trying to cling to bag and homework and umbrella and shut the door and wave goodbye all at the same time! One family pulled up, the doors of the van glided apart effortlessly and two children stood and calmy stepped onto the pavement and walked serenely into school…I couldn’t help but smile at the contrast.
There was a common denominator though, I could see the love in the concerned eyes of parents, in the way they smiled when they saw their child manage the 101 things they were juggling. When the raincoat not only fitted but was fashioned to cover their bag as well, moments of children turning back to see mum or dad or carer one more time before walking into school for the day. Those small, almost miss-able moments that represent the intrinsic connection and loving relationships that hold us together through the sunny times and the drenching rain of our days.
BCC is all about people loving Jesus and loving each other. That Thursday morning was a joy for me as I saw it lived out in the ordinary moments of a day.