Thought for the week (we 8th June 2014)

There’s no doubt that Stephen Sutton the 19 years old from Lichfield who sadly died of terminal cancer has touched the hearts of not thousands but millions all over the world.

Following his diagnosis Stephen decided to live his life to the full and to raise money for the Teenage cancer trust. His original target was modestly set at a few thousand pounds but that has now reached over four million. His humour and his courage together with his boyish smile and ‘thumbs up’ to the camera captured all of our hearts.

Politicians including the Prime Minister and sports and entertainment celebrities visited him and all spoke of his warmth and courage. That over 10,000 people paid their respects at Lichfield Cathedral at his funeral last Friday with a worldwide audience looking on is no surprise. He grasped the opportunity to be a blessing to others at a time when he understandably could have thought only of himself.

What a wonderful legacy of love and hope he has left us!

Wishing someone well is one thing; taking steps to ensure they are blessed is another and that’s what this young man did. The Teenage cancer trust will now ensure that Stephen’s efforts will bring hope and healing to those who like Stephen battle with this terrible disease.

His memory remains and the thousands who made the thumbs up signs at his funeral and all of us who have followed Stephen’s story will have encountered the very essence of goodness that is so lacking in our world. When Jesus spoke of going the extra mile and of loving your neighbour he gave us a way of living that can bring such hope and healing to our world.

‘Thumbs up’ Stephen you have left this world a better place and your legacy of love, hope and compassion will long remain.