The Samaritan and the Bike

The Good Samaritan, part 2

We lived on a hill in Midland Park. Most residents do. You only need to walk five minutes out the door to find yourself going uphill or down. This is an important element to my story.

Our son David did not have the mental acuity or physical dexterity to ride a bike so we bought him an adult tricycle. The slope of our driveway challenged him—he coasted down but he couldn’t pedal back up. Though his ability was limited, he enjoyed his trike and stayed within the parameters of the driveway—until the day he didn’t.

Did I mention we lived on a hill? He turned out of the driveway but only went six feet when his bike began to roll back. David put his feet down to stop the momentum but his skinny little leg got trapped between the pedal and the bike. I couldn’t roll him forward and I didn’t have the strength to pull the pedal away from the frame. Since the neighborhood men were at work, I called the police, hoping they would be able to pull out pedal and release David’s leg.

Flashing red lights announced their arrival and, though they gave it their best effort, they couldn’t budge the pedal. So they called the fire department. Two engines arrived with sirens blaring and more flashing lights. One pulled up behind the police car, the other blocked the end of the road. Neighbors came running from surrounding streets to see what tragedy befell us.  And then the ambulance came!

The arrival of each emergency vehicle increased David’s tears—and his sister’s laughter. I sent her inside so onlookers didn’t think poorly of us. Then David got a nose bleed. As I held a wad of tissues to his face, an officer informed me they were sending for the jaws of life.

The powerful tool cut through the pedal’s thick metal shaft and David was set free. One by one the emergency vehicles left—except the ambulance. With one inch indentations on each side of his leg, the first responders strongly recommended David go the ER. The ambulance delivered us to the hospital where we thankfully learned there was no injury.

Now I come to the point of my story.

The next morning a neighbor came to our door and explained she would not allow her daughter Sarah outside during our fiasco because neighbors shouldn’t stare—they should care. Could they please bring David’s tricycle to a bike shop to be repaired? They hauled the heavy trike into the back of their SUV and returned it a few days later, having borne the burden and paid the expense.

This incident came to mind with clarity last week as I reflected on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Like the man in the story, our neighbor had a responsive heart. She inconvenienced herself to care for us and our provide for our need.

Do you remember Jesus’ words at the end of the parable? “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

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