Three Strong, Loving Friends

Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus…

He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately, he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. (Luke 5: 18-19, 25 NIV)

An empty wheelchair stood by the edge of the lake. I looked around for its occupant. Wondering. 

            Red canoes lined the dock. Sunlight sparkled on the lake beneath a cloudless azure sky. Teenagers in life jackets gathered in small groups on the beach and pier before they ventured out onto the lake. 

            Then I spotted him in the bow of a canoe. Because he couldn’t walk, how did he get into the boat from his wheelchair? 

            Two young men paddled the canoe out into the middle of the lake. Other boats joined them as happy voices drifted across the water. 

            Each canoe held two or three sailors with at least one buddy, who spent the weekend with a special needs friend. My heart smiled as I watched and listened to the chatter. 

            Several minutes later, a canoe floated to the shore with a smiling young man in the front. Though nonverbal, his grin expressed words he could not speak.  

            The two paddlers and another friend carefully placed their arms around the large young man in the canoe. They lifted him from the boat and carried him across the beach to his wheelchair. He wasn’t able to raise his arms or legs to help them. They talked to him even though he couldn’t answer with words. 

            Everyone along the shore and on the pier watched the selfless act of kindness. 

            A leader said to the three young men. “What a blessing you are.”

            One of the boys answered, “We are the ones who are blessed.”

            As I watched the scene at Young Life’s Capernaum camp, a weekend for special needs young people, I thought of the friends of the paralyzed man in the Bible story. He had a need and they carried him to Jesus where he was healed.  

            Our Capernaum friend wasn’t healed physically but his heart was full of joy. The three young men gave him an experience he may have never had and may never have again. Their gift with the love and compassion of all four young men touched all who watched. Especially me. 

Love comes in many forms. 

Loving Father, thank you for those who show the love of Jesus to those who can’t repay it in the same way. Help us to be Jesus to whomever we meet. Amen. 

A Detour on Our Shopping Trip

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3: 5-6 KJV)

An elderly lady by the side of the road caught our attention.

As my granddaughter, Emily, and I stopped at a light during our shopping trip. 

            Neither of us could read the entire cardboard sign, but we saw the cross at the bottom. 

            We looked at each other and knew we needed to do something. 

            “Look in the console. I think there is an energy bar in there,” I said. 

            Emily pulled out the bar and a small bag of trail mix. We knew our time was limited. 

            From two lanes away, I knew Emily wouldn’t be able to get out of the car safely. She rolled her window down. Before she could toss the snacks to the lady, the light changed. 

            With cars behind me, I had to move forward. 

            “Grandma, she looked so sad. She thought we were going to give her something. We need to go back.”

            I agreed and made a u turn. Thankfully, no cars blocked my way at the intersection. I pulled into a drive near the lady and her walker. Emily stepped out of the car and handed her the food.

            She smiled and thanked Emily. She looked carefully at the two gifts. From her seat, she looked at us and mouthed, “Thank you.” 

            The light changed, and we drove off. We will never know her story, but we both realized we needed to help. Our small contribution wouldn’t solve her problems but hopefully, her day was brighter. We acknowledged her instead of looking straight ahead. 

            It doesn’t take a lot of time to make someone feel cared for and special. Whether it is someone by the road, an overworked clerk, a garbage man, a teller at a bank, or someone who lives in your home. Everyone likes a bit of gratitude and love.  

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us opportunities to serve and follow your example. Amen