Good Samaritan Yarns


When a toy has surgery in our family, that toy receives pastoral care from other toys. Obviously. 

After many years of not swimming in the surf, I bravely entered the waters at Woorim Beach, Bribie Island. A reasonably bad move as I got knocked over. Then I couldn't get up because my knees weren't playing the game, and those visually quite small waves packed a punch. Some strangers helped, kindly introducing themselves and asking my name. Timely as I was having issues with exertional asthma as well.

On another occasion, our car was experiencing issues following an incident with a curb at a 1-year old's birthday party. The vehicle didn't sound good, nor did it look the go. A man who I hadn't met before waved me down, investigated the problem and put in place a temporary fix. Beyond helpful.  

Then, going to work the other day, I was anticipating that no-one would know it was my birthday. Words came into my head as clear as day, "get some food to share." A workmate was on top of the fact that it was my birthday, but it was clear that finger buns were a bucket filler for some of my companions. 

Years ago, I departed my unit complex across town to be confronted by a person lying on the road with her leg trapped under a motorbike. Like any normal person, I stopped and lifted the bike off her leg. She had appeared to be in considerable pain before the assistance. 

Recently, a lady that I didn't know, and have never seen again, helped me carry bags into work. We had a lovely and surprising conversation. Moments after we finished talking, another member of the community started hurling verbal abuse at the lady and I tried to intervene. I felt like I had some kind of emotional whiplash!

So, the innate desire to help out a fellow human is all around, albeit sometimes accompanied by less virtuous efforts.

The Good Samaritan story appears as a jewel in the gospel of Luke, and I think and feel that it is the heart of things.



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