How many are on the spiritual orphan train?

Jesus said: "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." John 14:18.

When I read this text, I am reminded of critical decisions in 1853. The population of orphans in the large cities of the Northeast had reached critical mass. Leaders met and created the orphan trains that ran from 1854-1929. During the first 20 years, 30,000 children rode the orphan train to cities across America.

At each stop the children got off the train, were interviewed by perspective parents. Those not selected reboarded the train and rode on to the next stop. The train annually stopped at several stations in northwest Arkansas.

There are many stories told by the orphans. One of those stories speaks to me about the church and Americana today.

One small boy would get off the train and before anyone could even speak to him he would say: " I can save you a lot of time. I am going to run away from you. There are a lot of kids here that want to go live with you, but, I am not one of them."

One day the train stopped, the children got off and as a husband and wife stopped and walked up to him, he started his speech. After he was done the husband said, "I will make you a deal. You come live with us for one month and if you still want to run away, I will help you. We will get into my car and drive anywhere yo want to go. I even give you $100." The boy replied, "Make it two weeks."

"It's a deal but, you have to do what I ask you to do." They shook hands, went to a small cafe where the boy ate and ate and ate. He got a haircut and new clothes and his first private room in a large house on a Texas ranch.

The next day was Sunday, so they all went to church. They all shook his hand and welcomed him -- Billy the son of Jim and Edna Johnson. He had never been called a son before, nor called the member of a family or church. He felt wanted for the first time in his life.

Jim took Billy on a tour of the ranch and the boy was given chores. Jim carefully explained how each job was important to the smooth running of the ranch. This made Billy feel needed and important for the first time.

There were many firsts for him and some up and downs, but he never spoke of running away again. He became a well-respected rancher and a state politician.

There are many spiritual orphans today, riding on spiritual orphan trains just hoping to be seen, named, accepted, and told and shown how they can be a part of the community chores.

Have we told them that Jesus said, "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." Have we asked them not run to away?

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Ken Parks is the former rector of St. Theodore's Episcopal Church in Bella Vista. He can be reached by email to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

Religion on 05/17/2017