Today's blog comes at the end of a trying week. Thankfully, God reigns. During this week, the nation experienced tension and turmoil. A debate turned to a debacle. The media...well, they do their thing. Most trying for us this week began with a sickness and a little boy. As I watched him struggle to give me a thumbs up from his hospital bed, my world stopped.
Understand this. I live in North Carolina. Alamance County to be exact. I grew up here. In this area, regardless of who you are, what color your skin is, or what party you vote for, we are family. Never has that been more evident than in what has transpired over the past seventy-two hours. Noah, my cousin's son, fell ill and even to this moment, we are unsure what is the root cause. His daddy, though genealogy says he is my cousin, is more of a brother to me. We grew up together, along with our cousin Bryan, a 1980's version of The Three Amigos. Where one went, the other two joined. Now, as Cliff and Kelli's heart broke for their son, our hearts broke too.
Many of you know these facts. But I blog today for the untold story. I write this morning about that which will never be on your local news and will not make the headlines of the major national news networks. As a majority of the world focuses on what divides us, we have witnessed the other side of that narrative. And it takes us back to Jesus.
As Jesus spoke a parable about who is one's neighbor, He pointed out the actions of a Samaritan. The Jews looked at the Samaritans with contempt, yet Jesus makes a Samaritan the righteous one in the story. The parable paints the picture of a man beaten and unable to help himself. Others pass by. The Samaritan stopped. Jesus said, "But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion." (Luke 10:33 HCSB)
The Samaritan saw a need and moved. He bandaged the wounds and carried the helpless man to the inn. He paid for the beaten man to receive the care he needed. The Samaritan promised to return to further help.
This week, a story of Samaritans emerged in our area and beyond. As I said, this story won't make the headlines of news outlets, but it tells a different story of our area and of our nation. When Noah struggled to get into the hospital, an African American teenager picked him up and carried him inside. The young man saw a boy and a mother in desperation and the teenager moved. Swarms of doctors and nurses actively addressed the needs and worked to give Noah the care he needed. A chaplain stationed herself with his mother and father. Friends organized a GoFundMe account to help the family. Churches met and prayed for healing. Thousands across the nation prayed for a boy they'd never met. A radio station opened its doors for a community prayer.
These Samaritans held one thing in common - compassion. Though they came from different races, different careers, different denominations, and various places, they were moved by the need that stood before them. I saw a community band together. I saw the embodiment of the heart Jesus spoke of when He spoke of the Good Samaritan. And that's why I call this place home.
What will change this world? I believe it will be a group of Christ-following Good Samaritans moved by the needs of those around them. As I watched these Samaritans at work this week, I felt restored in my belief that truly there is a different story to be told. In a time of need, these set aside their lives for the needs of a little boy who had always set aside his life for others. This is the real story of our lives.
