One small step for our world....

This week's message is more than anything I could ever write, and it is a little boy's request that it be read around the world.  The words of a outstanding boy who it seems was always taking the next small step -

FOR OUR WORLD

We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment…
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment…
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment…
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice…
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment…
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek ©
September 11, 2001

Mattie died in 2004 aged 13, but not before publishing 7 books of poetry and inspirational writings that have been read around the world.  You can read more about Mattie and his amazingly inspirational life here.  Had I known about him before today I think that his favourite life lesson "Remember to play after every storm!" would have featured on our list!