No present left unopened
Here is a re-creation of a story I told the children (and adults) at First Parish Church in Taunton in September or October 2004. Feel free to share it.
The stories about Jesus in the Christian Bible often are of Jesus telling stories, or parables, as a way to teach important lessons. In one story, Jesus tells of a shepard who leaves his 99 sheep to search for a single lost sheep. This is not a story about sheep or shepards. It is a story about people. Jesus was teaching that everyone is important, that no one is expendable.
On Christmas morning or at a birthday party, there are lots of wrapped presents. Big presents, small presents, boxes, gift bags, presents wrapped in pretty paper, plain paper or even newspaper. No matter how many presents there are, or what they look like, every present is always opened. No one would leave a present under the tree or on the gift table unopened. We just have to find out what is inside each gift-wrapped package. No one ever says, "That one is too small or too plain or too much work to unwrap." Who knows, the last one might be the best one - the one we really wanted more than anything else.
Children are presents. Some might say they are gifts from God or a present that parents give to the world. These presents, too, come in many shapes and sizes, some fancy, others not so much. It takes a lifetime to unwrap these special gifts, to unlock their potential and find out what wonders they hold. One may be a scientist who finds a cure for AIDS or cancer. Another might be an inspirational minister who helps people find a right path to follow. Another may be a great teacher, a wise leader or a school bus driver who makes sure that the children arrive safe at school every day. Until each one is opened, we just don’t know. What if the one we missed might have had the most beautiful smile and every time you looked at that smile you felt just a little bit happier.
No present is ever left unopened and no child can be left behind. We must ensure that children receive what they need to reach their full potential , to be that special gift to the world.
Hi Barry, Great job on your blog. I remember you telling this story about the presents and I enjoyed reading it a second time. See you Sunday. Laura
Comment by laura hoey — September 7, 2006 @ 6:58 pm
I love your story!!! It’s a nice way to remind all those involved in the lives of young people to look pay too much attention to their mistakes but to encourage them on the journey in reaching their full potential.
Comment by Kristie — September 7, 2006 @ 9:00 pm
That is lovely, inspirational, hopeful! Thank you for sharing that!
Comment by Maureen — October 5, 2006 @ 4:15 pm
Barry…
All I can say is WOW. Tears have actually filled my eyes. I’ve come to this site by way of searching for alternatives to another’s needs. I thought maybe.. seeing I’ve found UU my way of justifying my life’s journey that perhaps.. maybe he will too. This lead me to the search…what’s in the area where he lives?
What I found was your blog … And it is just the what I needed to hear. My present was given to me.. by way of a sisters death.. despite the difficulut journies this young man has embarked upon and will continue to do so… He is a gift in a unique package. You have reaffirmed that it is necessary for me (and my family) to assist him in opening himself to find himself. Thanks for such wondeful insight and reflect.
Mkerr
Comment by M Kerr — December 9, 2006 @ 10:17 pm
I am touched that you found something valuable on my blog and thank you for letting me know. I haven’t kept it up as much as I thought I would and considered chucking the whole thing. I guess quantity isn’t what’s really important.
Thank you for your gift to me.
Comment by barrysalad — December 29, 2006 @ 3:02 pm