By Lisa Wilmore
My Friends,
I recall sharing a story with a group of teachers when I was a new principal many years ago. The story was one that I utilized to help teachers and staff members understand that children needed someone who was willing to extend a helping hand to them, even if they did not ask for it.
In this story, there was a ship that was carrying many children who had no idea what was about to happen to them as they were journeying on this ship. They had no way of knowing that the ship was about to wreck, and they would be deposited into this huge ocean without any means of saving themselves.
Instantly, the ship wrecked and the children needed to be saved. Some of the children were yelling, “Please throw me a life preserver!” “Please throw me a life preserver!” Others were just waiting for whatever may come. The children who were asking for the preservers were thrown one, and they were able to swim to shore, ultimately, saved by the preserver.
This message is for those persons who have not asked or a life preserver. It appears that they do not care one way or the other. Perhaps they have given up on life and appear to wait on whatever happens next. Interestingly, no one really pays attention to them. In essence no one sees them. It is so easy to extend help or a life preserver to those who ask for it. But what happens to those who need it, and we choose not to throw them a preserver or lend a helping hand?
Well, my friends, Jesus saw us before we ever knew that we needed a life preserver. He became our life preserver when He hung, bled, died, and rose for our sins. No, we may never have raised our hands or asked Him to throw us a life preserver, but He did it anyway. He saw us! He noted our silent struggles and extended His hand. As a result, He found us, and He saved us. Therefore, we must see those who are in the ocean of life and throw them a life preserver. Even though they do not ask for it, we must extend it anyway.
There are many children and individuals who society has cast away and thrown to the side. However, we must look beyond the cries and hear the silence of individuals who need our support and help. So, the next time you are positioned in the presence of individuals, and they are silent, begin a conversation with them. Who knows, they may need you to throw them a life preserver.
