“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” -Romans 13:10
Winter has returned. It is cold and snow and ice cover 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. The people of Buffalo, New York experience a much different winter season than we in Oklahoma. The average temperature in Buffalo during the winter is 31 for the high. In Oklahoma, our average high temperature is 51.
The people of Buffalo are no strangers to harsh winter weather. They are prepared for it. However, the incredible winter storm that took place around Buffalo this past December was even too much for our tough neighbors to the northeast. One major snow storm that began on December 23 brought 70 mile an hour winds and a total of 51.9” of snow. This took place in just over a day. The entire region was paralyzed. The people who were caught traveling, away from home or the safety of indoors, 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 the lives of 24 people and 2 dogs. 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. Jay went throughout the school and located blankets, food, and drink to help care for the people he had led to shelter.
When everyone was taken care of 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. He signed the letter, “Merry Christmas, Jay.” 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. Jay Withey is now known, around the world, as Merry Christmas Jay.
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, Merry Christmas Jay made several trips away from the school, walking down the roads and parking lots, making sure he did not miss other stranded people. Jay not only saved 24 lives, but he has inspired others, around the world, to do the same. This is what love does. Love goes above and beyond to care for all.
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
