Thought for the Day

Here is the text for this mornings Thought for the Day that I gave on BBC Radio Leicester. Or you can listen to it here about 47 minutes into the programme.

During the American civil war, a solider was granted permission to seek a hearing from the president. However, when he arrived at the White House, he was refused entry and sent away. He went and sat in a nearby park. A young boy came across him and remarked how unhappy he looked. The solider told the boy everything. Eventually the boy said, ‘Come with me.’ He led the dejected soldier back to the White House. They went round the back; none of the guards stopped them. Even the generals stood to attention and let them pass. The soldier was amazed. Finally, they came to the presidential office. Without knocking, the boy opened the door and walked straight in. Abraham Lincoln, standing there turned from his conversation and said, ‘What can I do for you, Tad?’ Tad said, ‘Dad, this soldier needs to talk to you.’ The soldier had access to the president through the son. Christians believe that we have access to God the Father through Jesus the Son. When we pray we are not talking to some distant, far off God. We have direct access to our loving heavenly Father who delights to hear from us and longs to know what is on our hearts.