Help is Always Available
May 1 2024
During a recent family and friends gathering, my son shared a story from nearly three decades ago I had completely forgotten about it until he shared the details. On that day, I had picked him up from school. As a father, it was always a special treat for me to perform these duties, as my wife usually handled drop-offs and pickups. She loved being a stay-at-home mom and ensured our children were well cared for. So, when I showed up as the chauffeur, it was a significant moment for all of us. We laughed, talked, and enjoyed our time together.
On this particular day, I arrived on time and when my son came out and saw me, he had a big smile on his face. My countenance showed an equal amount of excitement. He got into the car and we exchanged pleasantries. Then I gave him the treat I had been saving for him since I learned I was picking him up. It was a piece of hard candy like a peppermint or jaw breaker that I knew he would enjoy. As we were leaving the parking lot of the school, all of a sudden he became silent. Then he leaned towards me as if he wanted to say something, but couldn’t. His eyes showed signs of panic as they expanded and his body tightened. I realized he was choking on the candy I had given him. I pulled over as soon as I could and performed the Heimlich maneuver on him and the candy dislodged out of his throat. I could see the relief in his eyes and his body started to relax as I asked him if he was okay. We sat there for a couple of minutes so that he could gather himself and then we proceeded home. I never told anyone that story and I don’t think he did either until recently. If I had not acted promptly, he could have possibly choked to death. I came to his aid as any loving father would do for his child. All he remembered was that on that day, I saved his life. I was his Hero!!
The Bible tells us in Psalms 46:1, God is our help in times of trouble. He comes to our rescue when He sees we are choking on the challenges of life. As life punches us, He steps in to provide assistance. In the same Book, 63:7, the writer describes God as our helper and in 94:17, the writer says “unless the Lord had helped me, I would have died. I think sometimes we all feel that if our Helper had not helped, we would have suffocated.
There have been so many times God has helped me. He has rendered relief or assistance to make things easier for me. He breathed life into me when all my breath was gone. He came quickly to my rescue and made His presence known.
The help I gave to my son in his time of need was out of my love for him. His moment of desperation became my time to demonstrate that love. The help God gives to us is out of the love He has for us. He stands ready to assist us with whatever trouble we find ourselves facing in this world and He will come quickly to rescue us.
I find comfort in knowing that I can look to hills from which comes my help; my help comes from the Lord who is the maker of heaven and earth. I pray that you will find the same comfort. He is our Helper!!