The boy in the suitcase

There is a sad poetry about the boy in the suitcase. As details of his death, and short life, started to emerge this week, the boy in the suitcase was given a name, and we were shown a photo, and you could sense a palpable community grief for the loss of little Dean Shillingworth.

It was a situation that had stayed in our collective consciousness as we struggled to understand how a little boy could be missing, dead, and no-one be looking for him. And perhaps it was the sad enigma of this story that meant we identified with it so strongly when we discovered who this little boy was.

Dean's death is a tragedy. That his brothers and sisters have to grieve their loss is a tragedy. That his mother has to live with what can only be the greatest regret and pain is a tragedy.

Reading the reports of his sad death, I was reminded that hurting people hurt themselves and others.

We live in a hurting world.

Our response? To weep, and to do what we can, in the lives of those around us, to bring healing and comfort. Government departments can't solve this problem alone. Caring communities, friends, and family however, can provide a powerful part of the solution. And rhe truth of God’s love has the power to heal the broken-hearted.