Monday, March 12, 2018

SignPost Monday to Wednesday, Week 4—The Accident

Psalm 107:1-16

The mission statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is “God’s Work, Our Hands”. This is never more apparent in our lives than in times of crisis. God’s work is done each time an ambulance, a fire truck, Med-flight helicopter, police car, or First Responder heads out to an accident. And like it or not, many need our hands in God’s work every day. 

One afternoon on the highway we were stopped by emergency lights. I got out of the car and spoke with a police officer to see if anyone might want or need pastoral care.

After a few minutes, I was called to a place where a young man was lying on the road. The EMT person was working furiously. Medical supplies were strewn all over the road. Blood was everywhere. In the distance other sirens were heard. Med-flight had been called.

Suddenly everyone stopped what they were doing. “He didn’t make it,” the EMT said. I stood there feeling helpless. “What would you like me to do?” I asked.

“Pray, damn it!” someone said with the sound of helplessness in her cry.

We stood there for a moment together and prayed for the families involved. I closed with the Lord’s Prayer. As I began saying “Our Father, who art in heaven”, I was joined by the voices of the others.

Forty feet away, tools were prying open the other door of the car, releasing another person. In a few minutes this one was flown to the hospital. The first young man was placed on a gurney and transported by ambulance. Pictures were taken of the scene, cars were towed away, Equipment was picked up, swept up, and a fire truck washed the evidence of the accident away. Traffic started to move.

As I drove home, I was overwhelmed by the commitment and the seeming calm of those people. I give thanks to God for all of them including the emergency doctors and nurses in these critical times of our lives.

Prayer
Lord, we give thanks for your presence in the time of crisis. Bless and sustain the lives of all who come to our aid in times of need. Bless our hands of care and healing as we do your work; even in the folding of our hands in prayer. In Jesus name we pray. Amen 

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