“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” -1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Winter has returned. It is cold, with snow and ice covering the ground as I write this devotional. With just a slight change in the weather, we in Oklahoma can find our daily lives interrupted. We are not used to the extreme cold, and winter precipitation slows traffic, shuts down schools, and makes us scramble for groceries. People who live in slightly harsher climates find our struggles with winter weather somewhat funny.
As we are dealing with record-cold temperatures in Oklahoma, I am reminded of the record storm that blanketed Buffalo, NY, in December of 2022. The people of Buffalo are no strangers to harsh winter weather. They are prepared for it. However, the incredible winter storm of that year was even too much for our neighbors to the northeast. This snowstorm brought 70-mile-an-hour winds and 51.9” of snow in just over a day. The entire region was paralyzed. The people who were caught traveling away from home were in grave danger.
One of the people caught in this terrible blizzard was Jay Withey. Jay is a mechanic. He was trying to make his way home from work when he became trapped in the winter storm. Jay knew he would run out of gas soon. He also spotted another group of people in a car, trying to ride out the storm. Jay made a decision that would help save many lives. Jay left his vehicle and walked to the nearest building…an elementary school. He broke the window and gained entry. Jay then went back out into the storm and began bringing in the stranded people and pets he could locate. After many trips into the storm, Jay saved twenty-four people and two dogs. Jay then went throughout the school and located blankets, food, and drink to help care for the people he had led to shelter.
After Jay felt everyone was cared for and safe, Jay found a piece of paper and pen and wrote a note to the school. He wrote, “To whom it may concern, I am terribly sorry about breaking the school window and breaking into the cafeteria.” Jay explained in his letter that he had to do it to save the people. There is no doubt he saved those people. He has since offered, on many occasions, to pay for the repairs to the school, but they refuse to let him; after all, he is a hero.
Cold, wind, snow, and dangerous temperatures do not excuse us from our call to love and care for others. Jay Withey knew this. He could have hidden himself in the school and taken care of only himself. Instead, Jay made several trips away from the school, walking down the roads and through parking lots, ensuring he did not miss other stranded people. Jay not only saved 24 lives, but he has reminded us what a neighbor does. This is what love does. Love goes above and beyond to care for all.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
