. . . and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
I remember reading a story in the New York Times:
While awaiting a subway train with his two young daughters, Wesley Autrey saw a man on the platform who was convulsing and stumbling. As Wesley turned to bring aid to that man, Cameron Hollopeter, 20, Cameron stumbled over the platform and landed between the tracks. Wesley Autrey jumped down to save him.
The lights of an oncoming train came closer and closer, faster and faster, and the train came to a stop within inches of their heads.
Wesley called up to the onlookers on the platform and called out “We’re okay down here, let my daughters know that their father is alright.”
All of this happened to applause from everyone at the subway station that day.
Wesley Autrey did not think of himself as a hero.
Days later when he had the opportunity to visit Cameron, he was reminded of the words he whispered to him as he covered Cameron’s body with his own, on the tracks as the train approached.
Cameron had said ”please don’t let me die”, and Wesley said, “I am with you, and I will stay with you.”
Cameron said those words gave him a great sense of peace and calm.
In these days of anxiety, and fear, let us remember that we are not alone.
God is with us, thanks be to God!
Rev. Rich Kirschner is a retired minister and member of Naples UCC since 2017.
Prayer Focus: For anyone feeling alone and afraid
Prayer:
O Love that will not let me go
I rest my weary soul in thee;
That in thine ocean depths,
Life might fuller, brighter be.