21 May, 2009
Everyday Heroes
Toddler Caught After 40-Foot Fall From Window
Two men were being hailed as heroes by police in Lawrence, Massachusetts for catching a toddler who fell 40 feet from a home's third-story window.
Robert Lemire told the North-Andover (Mass.) Eagle-Tribune newspaper that he was talking on his cell phone on a Sunday evening outside a pizza shop in Lawrence, about 25 miles north of Boston, when he saw the toddler dangling from a window across the street.
The 45-year-old father of two bolted across a busy street, where he met 23-year-old Alex Day, who had been inside the home at a Bible study meeting. Together, they caught the 18-month-old before she hit the ground.
"I've only seen something like that on TV," Lemire told the Eagle-Tribune.
"She's lucky. Everybody is lucky," he told the newspaper.
Day said the event was "absolutely incredible."
"She was so small, she would have really been hurt. ...It was pretty amazing when I look back on the whole thing," the Eagle-Tribune quoted him as saying.
"These guys are heroes, no question about it," Police Chief John Romero said.
story courtesy of: msnbc.com photo by Matthew West, Boston Herald
“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom.” Galatians 5:13-14, The Message
When Jesus was asked what the most important law was in the Bible, “Jesus said, 'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: Love others as well as you love yourself.'” Matthew 22:37-39, The Message
What does God’s Story have to say about loving others?
As Jesus-followers, we have been given freedom! Stop for a second and think about that word. FREEDOM.
Some of us don’t understand the true meaning of that word because we have never known what it’s like to not have freedom. But no matter who you are or where you live, if you follow Jesus, you are FREE!
All we are asked to do in response to that freedom is to love God and love others.
Pretty simple, huh?
Robert & Alex went out of their way to love someone else. They became heroes because they served a little girl by saving her life.
When we take the time to love others (especially those that are the hardest to love), people notice. When you’re nice long enough, someone, someday will turn around and say, “Hey! What makes you so different?” What a SWEET opportunity to just be who Jesus wants us to be and maybe get to introduce others to Him because of it!
How can we connect today’s story and God's Story with my story?
- What does the word freedom mean to you? Write it down. Thank God for the freedom that you have.
- How do you respond to the freedom that God gives you? If Jesus were walking around with you for a day of your life, would He see a thankful heart that loves Him and loves others?
- Think of one person whom you haven’t loved very well lately. Seek them out and ask for forgiveness.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story & our story to their story?
- Robert & Alex were just two "average" guys, living life. Now, they're heroes. Who are the "average" heroes who serve you every day? Talk with your heroes about today's story and God’s Story and how you see them living out their freedom.
- Talk with your friends about today’s story. Ask them how they would have responded if they were Robert or Alex. Maybe you can share how Jesus was an "everyday hero" 2000 years ago...and still is today!
- We can't change human hearts. That's a Jesus deal. Keep hanging in there. Above all else, love Jesus like crazy. Love your friends the way Jesus loves you. Someday, maybe sooner than later, your friends will see a difference and ask, “Hey! What makes you so different?”
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