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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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Editor's angle |
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White ribbons Recently I heard of a young man who left home 'under a cloud.' For several years he lived far away and got involved in some dodgy business dealings. His despairing family had bailed him out at first, but eventually the rift between them was great, and they lost touch. The young man became ill and realised he wanted to see his family again. On the long bus journey home he sat next to an elderly woman who sensed that this was a troubled young man. They chatted together, and he told her the story of how he had disgraced his family, and wanted to go home before it was too late to make amends. Not knowing how they would respond, he had sent a message through a friend to ask his family to tie a white ribbon to the tree near the front gate, to show that he would be welcome. If there was no ribbon, he would stay on the bus. The bus neared his town and he said that he could not bear to look, lest there was no ribbon on the tree. Understanding exactly, the woman told him not to look: she would keep watch for him. Suddenly she cried out,' Oh, look! the tree is alive with ribbons! They still love you!' Perhaps we can watch for someone else who is afraid to look for 'the ribbons'. Significantly, this story was told by a blind person, one who really does need someone to keep watch. |
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