Sara Tucholsky, a softball player for Western Oregon University,
hit the first home run of her life in a game against Central
Washington. But she nearly didn’t get credit for it. As she
rounded first base in excitement, she missed it! When she
wheeled back to correct her mistake, she injured her knee.
Crying, she crawled back to the base. By rule, she had to touch
all four bases on her own for the home run to count. Her
teammates could not assist her in any way.
Then Mallory Holtman, the first baseman for the opposing team,
spoke up. “Would it be okay if we carried her around?” After
conferring, the umpires agreed. So Mallory and another teammate
made a chair of their hands and carted Sara around the bases. By
the time they were through carrying her, many were crying at
this selfless act of compassion, and Sara was awarded her home
run.
The lesson for followers of Christ is clear. When fellow
Christians stumble and fall, we need to follow the example of
these ballplayers. Reach out. Lift them up and carry them along.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to “minister . . . to one another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter
4:10). — David
C. Egner
When a fellow Christian stumbles
And he needs some help to stand;
Don’t ignore his circumstances—
Offer him your outstretched hand. —Sper
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of
another. —Charles Dickens