My Good Sararitans

Luke 10:30-37

 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

This parable has a special meaning to me because I have been blessed with many Good Samaritans lately. What is a Good Samaritan? In my mind it is someone who recognizes a need to help someone else regardless of race, religion, and cultural boundaries. Is is someone who acts on that need and shows compassion. It is someone who gives of himself to meet that need. It is someone who enlists the help of others to provide care. It is someone who encourages others to "Go, and do thou likewise".

Who are my Good Samaritans? Stephanie is my family's Good Samaritan. She recognized the need of so many who are in kidney failure...like my dad. She did not know my dad, but she acted and decided to donate her kidney to someone in need...and that someone was my dad. She literally gave of herself to save someone else. My dad will now have a better quality of life because of her compassion and selfless service.

I also donated my kidney 5 weeks ago to help my dad. I was not a match for him so we participated in a paired exchange program in which my dad and I were involved in a 6 person chain of donors and recipients who could donate and receive from each other. Because of our Good Samaritan Donor - Stephanie - I was able to "Go, and do thou likewise" and donate my kidney to a woman in need.

What a blessing to be a part of such a life-changing chain of events. 6 strangers coming together to help those in need. A Good Samaritan is also someone who acts on the seemingly small and simple needs of others. During my recovery I have had many Good Samaritans help my family and I in small ways that have meant a lot to me. More than they will ever know. Countless words of encouragement, meals, caring for my children, fasting and prayer. I know that recognizing and acting on the small needs of others can bring about life-changing chains of events as well.

Let us all be Good Samaritans. Let us all follow the Samaritan's example and "Go, and do thou likewise". Let us all set aside any prejudice or pride and look for ways to help those around us. Let us all link ourselves together in love and compassion and become a chain reaction of doing good.