Christian Living

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Lending A Helping Hand...Will You?
© 2006

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Considered one of the best basketball players anywhere in the United States, Lisa Pipestem decided to attend the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. Within 10 weeks into her college experience, the bones of Lisa’s forearm were shattered as she and a teammate were on their enjoy a dinner of pizza and salad. Without warning, a drunk driver plowed into the passenger side where Lisa sat. The accident meant Lisa could never play basketball again according two doctors. Within a day after her accident, someone stole her bicycle. To top it all off, the young man Lisa had been dating called to tell her he wanted to break up his relationship with her. They had been dating for a little more than two years. Lisa felt so low that she began spending hours alone in her room crying and wondering why so many bad things were happening to her.

Angelina Rossetti, who lived in the same dormitory as Lisa, because very concerned about her and decided to help her get through this low point in her life. Therefore, Angelina planned a heart-warming party for Lisa. While Lisa was still recovering in the hospital, Angelina sold her high dollar compact disk player, collected money, got a local bicycle dealer to donate a brand new 10-speed bicycle to replace the one stolen, and found her a part-time job she could do using her uninjured arm once Lisa could go to work. In addition, Angelina was able to get Lisa free tickets to see her basketball hero when his team came to Oklahoma City to play the Hornets. Before long, Lisa was herself again. With Angelina by her side, Lisa was able to rehabilitate her broken arm to such an extent that she defied the doctors’ pessimistic diagnosis regarding her broken arm. Following her doctor’s examination, he determined that Lisa would be able to play basketball within a year. It was a miracle, he declared.

When Lisa asked why Angelina did all of the things she did for her, Angelina told her that she recognized her as a child of God who was going through a difficult period in her life and needed her help. Angelina further explained that she was drawn to helping her by the love of God. Soon Angelina was able to tell Lisa about what Jesus Christ did long ago on her behalf. Angelina and Lisa became life long friends but more importantly, Lisa came to accept Jesus Christ as God and her Savior. Lisa eventually became an enthusiastic advocate for Jesus Christ influencing many because of what He did through Angelina Rossetti.

Lisa Pipestem’s story reminds one of the paralyzed man who was healed by Jesus. The afflicted man was brought before the Savior by friends who cared about his physical well-being and indirectly his spiritual well-being unlike Angelina.

Do you know someone who is hurting? Alternatively, do you have a friend in need of a helping hand? Think of some way or ways you can help. In more instance than you can imagine most help will not require as much sacrifice as Angelina’s. others could require more. Do not sweat this! Show the love of Christ, listen to His directives though prayer and share the Good News. You will never know what might happen when lending a helping hand to a person in need.

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