Always best to ‘take care of each other’

His name is Rusty. We have been friends over many years. Whenever he writes to my wife and I, he always ends the letter with these words, “Take care of each other.” These words have more importance as we grow older. We can manage quite well when we are together, and not well when we are apart. We depend on each other to get along from day to day.

In the parable of “The Good Samaritan,” the neighbour is the one who took care of another person in desperate need. It was not easily done. He was on his way to an appointment which would delay him. He did not know where the thieves were hiding and he might be the next victim. There was also the racial barrier to overcome. In addition to that, who would pick up the bill for continued care once the man was taken to Jericho?

All of us have instances when we have been confronted by another person in distress. It can be a member of our family, a neighbour near or far, or a complete stranger. How often were we in a hurry to a meeting or appointment? There may well be danger is involved. Perhaps it may cost money which we may or may not have. Driving down the highway a stalled car on the side of the road may indicate a person in distress and we drove on by!

To the west of us the province of B.C. is in great distress due to forest fires that are mostly out of control. Special people are needed to fight those fires that you and I may not be. Perhaps for some offering a place to stay may be way to help. Since money is needed to cover the expense in this disaster that is a tangible way to help (The Red Cross).

I remember a person once saying, “I cannot go to be a missionary in mission field, I can give my support to one who can!”

Whether it be a particular person in need, or folks in the province to the west it is well that we “Take care of each other!”

Sidney Nelson is pastor emeritus of Unity Lutheran parish. He has served parishes in Frontier, Lethbridge, Montana and Montreal.

PS: Pastor Nelson and his wife Elaine have daughters in Kelowna and North Vancouver