Take Time To Help
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.”
-- Luke 10:33-34
Those who know the story, remember that both the priest and the Levite refused to help the injured man. In fact, they crossed to the other side of the road. They refused to be involved with a man who was either dead or, at the very least, hurt badly enough to require time and care.
We don’t think too much about that do we? The Samaritan did far more than care for the man. He gave his time. He gave his money. He took care of a stranger as though he were a valued friend or family member. And, then, when he left he assured the innkeeper that he’d pay the difference if the man required anything more than the money the Samaritan had already paid.
That puts a different spin on things. We imagine ourselves in a similar situation. Of course, we wouldn’t ignore or turn away from someone who was badly injured. Or would we? What if helping the injured man required us to devote several days to him, regardless of what we had planned? What if we were called to spend a great deal of money on him? Would we still be so quick to help or just let someone else help the man? Would anyone else help?
Many years ago I was rushing through the grocery store, in a hurry to pick up a few items and get home. I noticed a little boy in the produce department. He was about four. His mother ignored him as she talked on her cell phone and placed items in her cart. I knew it was going to be a problem. I hoped it wouldn’t involve me.
Sure enough, mother and son got separated. I was standing in the express checkout line when I heard his cry. So did everyone else but, apparently, not his mother. No one moved to help. No one. I shook my head and muttered to myself something about not having time for this. Still, I slid my basket out of the way and went to help him.
I smiled, told him my name, got his name, and took his hand. I led him toward the registers and the assistant store manager who was, of course, oblivious. Not for long. I barked orders and he responded. I handed the child over, reassuring the youngster that he would be safe and that the manager would call his mother and have her come and get him.
I didn’t have time to help that child. But I did it anyway. I’m not telling this story to pat myself on the back. There have been plenty of times when I didn’t do something and I should have. Had I not stepped forward, I would have worried about this little boy. Even now I want to shake his mother and ask her about her priorities!
That’s what it comes down to -- priorities. People should be our priority. Not things. Not games. Not even work. People. I think that’s what Jesus was trying to tell us. Love your neighbor. Make time for people. Do good to them. Help them when you see a need. Do what matters even when you don’t think you can.
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