Safyre's Giving Us More Than She is Receiving

When I read the subject line, "we should do this at our next meeting," I figured my wife had sent me a link to a wacky icebreaker game for our youth group meeting. To my surprise, the link was to an article about an extraordinary young lady, Safyre Terry, who survived a fire that took the lives of her siblings and father, who has a special wish for Christmas 2015.

Nearly 3 years after the fire and having undergone nearly 50 surgeries to help heal the burn wounds that affect 75% of her body, according to People Magazine, Safyre's Christmas wish is to receive Christmas cards from around the world.

Safrye Terry with some of the many
Christmas cards she has already received.
Photo credit: SAFYRE SCHENECTADY'S SUPER SURVIVOR/FACEBOOK

What started as a simple Facebook post by her aunt, Safyre's request has gone viral, with cards and gifts coming in from, literally, all over the world. 

Last night, we joined the 1,000s of world-wide well-wishers by having our youth group members make cards for Safyre. It made perfect sense, after all, we have just begun the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

During the evening, something was happening in the room. I saw it during the youth group meeting as teens were asking each other if their card looked right. "Should I put the Christmas tree in the middle of the card or to the side?" one asked a friend. "Put it in the middle," he replied while glancing the card up and down to make sure his choice was correct. 

I watched as teenagers grabbed markers, paper, glue and scissors to craft their cards. They took their time. They wanted the cards to be the best ones ever made. Not because they were being graded or that Safyre would ever know them personally. No, they wanted them to be perfect because they were sincerely serving another person while their own hearts were full of mercy, whether they realized it or not.

Pope Francis has declared December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016 as the Jubilee Year of Mercy. 

Complete with a logo, catch phrase, and specially designated Doors of Mercy, the Jubilee year invites Catholics (and all of humanity) to engage in acts of mercy. In short: share some love; complete a random act of kindness; feed the hungry; convert a sinner (or two!). Bottom line, let's try and be nice to each other by seeing the other's needs first, and then doing what we can to fulfill those needs. 

Without realizing it, Safrye saw our collective need to love. She shared her story with the world and asked for little more than a simple token in return. In so doing, she gave us the chance to feel how good it is to help others; she allowed us to feel the joy of showing mercy.

Thank-you Safrye, for allowing us to walk through a "Virtual Door of Mercy." You have given us a Christmas gift beyond measure. You, my dear, are a true Beacon of Hope.