Emma Lyon
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16
Love goes out of its way to help others. Love knows no boundaries when it comes to helping people who are in need. We show God’s love when we serve our neighbors. We may demonstrate God’s great love in large gestures or in small ways. When we go out of our way to help others, we share the love and hope of God.
Emma Lyon is a recipient of compassion and grace that truly brought joy to her life. Emma had joined many members of her community in England to watch a spring regatta on the River Ouse. She stood on the bank of the river, cheering on the rowing teams. As she clapped her hands, her 100-year-old wedding ring that originally belonged to her grandmother fell off her finger and dropped into the river. Emma was devastated. She thought the ring was lost forever.
A friend of Emma encouraged her to reach out to a local scuba diving club. Emma had little hope that the ring could be found and was unsure whether the divers would help her locate such a small object in a large river. Thankfully, several divers responded with compassion. By that evening, several divers were in the water, looking for the ring.
It did not take long for the divers to locate the ring and bring it to the surface. Emma could not believe her eyes when the ring emerged from the water and began to shine in the last light of the day. As far as Emma was concerned, she had just experienced a miracle. What she experienced was love and compassion in action.
Emma lost a ring that had great value. The value was sentimental. After the divers found her grandmother’s ring on the bottom of the river, the value of the ring increased all the more. There is now an incredible new story associated with the great history of this ring. It is a ring that has represented the love between a husband and wife for over a century. Now it reminds Emma, and so many more, that when we take time to care for one another, we can make miracles happen. The world needs more love and compassion like that which was demonstrated in that river. This is the love that brings hope to the world.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
