Lying in the Ditch

     Our sermon in church today focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan and the idea that we can follow in his footsteps (and Jesus' for that matter) only when we identify with the man attacked on the road and left for dead in the ditch.  However, I'm guessing it may also have had an effect on the man if he later discovered it was a Samaritan who helped him, especially if he was a Jew.
     To highlight his point, our Executive Pastor continued by sharing the personal story of having been involved in many funerals and helping to extend words of peace and comfort in times of grief.  But he added that he developed a new appreciation for being on the receiving end when he has faced the passing of several family members in recent years.  I remember my mom feeling the same way when my grandmother died and the church provided a meal in our Fellowship Hall for our family, out-of-town guests and others involved in the service.  My home church is somewhat smaller than the current church I serve and had never really attempted such a bereavement meal program.  My mom was inspired to help formalize and organize a similar program in my home church after experiencing what it meant to her and our family.
     At another point in the sermon, the focus was on fact that according to the culture of the day, Jews and Samaritans just didn't mix (to put it mildly, lol!), and yet the Samaritan was the one who had enough compassion for someone he was supposed to "hate" that he stopped to help.  To take it one step further, it can be quite difficult to show love to someone who has actually mistreated us and not just "different", etc., especially if it's someone we love and know well.  Probably the darkest period of my own life has been as a domestic violence survivor during my short-lived marriage.  It suffices to say there were mental health issues involved with my ex-husband that did not present themselves until after the wedding, eventually leading to a suicide attempt on his part shortly after our divorce was final.  I firmly believe that if God had not brought us together for the time that we were, his family might never have known the extent of his condition, and he might never have been diagnosed/gotten any kind of help.  Even though we have had virtually no contact since then, I continue to pray for him every day and truly hope he is happy.  I put myself in his shoes and know I would be scared, confused, frustrated, etc. to discover that I was capable of physically hurting someone I love and not be able to figure out where the behavior was coming from due to brain chemistry that I have no control over.  My experience has also inspired me to volunteer with our local Family Crisis Center, because I know a little something about what many of the women there are going through.  Today I was reminded it is precisely in times like those that we are to follow the example of the Good Samaritan and really identify with those in need of help.