When I was 11 years old, my parents allowed me to go on a short excursion with friends. Alongside me in the backseat were my best friend and her younger brother. In the front seat were her sister, who was the teenage driver, and two of her friends. We were traveling at 55 miles per hour when we crashed into the back of a vehicle that was stalled on the highway. Our vehicle wasn’t equipped with seatbelts. (Yes, I know I’m old.)
We were transported to the nearest hospital and examined for injuries; my friend had a fractured leg, and the teens needed stitches and were missing some teeth. My injuries were limited to things that healed with time; my eyes swelled shut, my lips turned inside out, and my entire face was bruised. Unfortunately, this worsened as the days went on, and I looked monstrous! We had a mirror at the end of the hallway that led to my bedroom. I recall backing down the hall because the sight of my bruised and swollen face made me nauseous! I was traumatized!
Fred Rogers said as a boy anytime he was afraid, his mother would say to him, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
During that accident all those years ago, I wish I had looked for “the helpers.” Those teens who cared for me after the accident even though their injuries were more critical, the strangers who stopped to help, the ambulance drivers, the doctors and nurses, and my parents who nursed me back to health.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, dealt with a life-changing experience when she was just a few years older than I was at the time of my accident. Luke 2:19 tells us regarding the birth of Jesus, “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” The Greek word for treasured is suntereo, meaning protecting and remembering. The Greek word for pondered is sumballo, which indicates preserving and observing. Mary looked for “the helpers” – the innkeeper who allowed them to stay in the barn for protection, Joseph who cared for her, and the shepherds who came to see Jesus.
As you prepare for Christmas, look for “the helpers.” When you spot them, be sure to breathe a prayer of thanks for them and thank them personally whenever possible. Furthermore, if you see someone going through a difficult time, be “the helper.” Try to put yourself in the person’s shoes and think about what is needed. When we do things for others, we are blessed!
Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11
Susan Meharg, Assistant to the Executive Pastors
