Here's a story by Marylor Wilson, a member of our church and our Friday office volunteer.
It was the Sunday night dinner of one of our Family Promise Weeks ( a week when homeless families come and live in our church). One family was a mother, a father, a two-year-old son and a two-week-old baby. The mother was still suffering from a very difficult delivery. The father was entirely occupied with the tiny baby.
The two year old, a curly blond live-wire, couldn't sit still, couldn't eat, couldn't even play with toys in the usual way. His mother (and the rest of us) were bothered and helpless in face of this tiny whirlwind. His mother's threats were useless. The rest of us didn't dare approach him.
Then, Ellen Marshall, who is University Congregational Church's Family Promise Coordinator, grabbed up the little bombshell. I expected a big
two-year-old roar and stiff legged struggle.
But that did not happen. He snuggled right into the curve of Ellen's arm with out a peep. She carried him around the rest of the dinner hour, helping serve and clear dishes one handed.
Their two faces mirrored each other's pleasure and serenity. It was hard to tell who was giving and who was receiving.
