(Jesus said) "Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise." Luke 10:36-37

Most of the time babies crying in church don't bother me. Crying is what babies do.
The only exception to this rule takes place when

1. the crying becomes regular and repetitive, and

2. the crying goes on so long I can see the people in the pews around that baby wincing to the rhythm of the crying.

No, I don't mind babies crying in church, but in an airplane, that is a different matter. It's different because the parents can't take the baby out to deal with the problem, and it's different because the people around the upset child can't escape either.

This is why I can be sort of sympathetic for two of the people on the 5:30 a.m. flight from Michigan to Alabama. They were already situated when Rebekka Garvison sat down with her four-month-old child, Rylee. When the plane revved up its engines, Rylee did the same. Seeing the discontent on the faces of those around her, Rebekka asked if she could move to another row where there was only one person whom her baby might bother.

Rebekka and the still-crying Rylee moved to a new location.

This time, rather than receiving a stare of disapproval, Rebekka got a smile. More than that, her new seatmate, Nyfesha Miller, asked if she could hold Rylee and try to calm her down.

The switch of holders made all the difference in the world to Rylee. She began looking out the window and soon she fell asleep. Rylee stayed asleep for the rest of the flight and was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when she saw her father, a serviceman stationed in Alabama.

Now the reason I share that story is because it rang a bell. Many years ago, Pam took all three of our children to visit her parents in Arizona. She was traveling alone and our youngest, Kris, was a baby -- a baby who got airsick. That day, a man, the embodiment of a Good Samaritan, asked if he might help. He took two-year-old Kirsten and entertained her so Pam could deal with Kris.

Although the Bible doesn't exactly say so, I think there must be a special place in heaven for people who step out of their comfort zones and do that which needs to be done.

Doing what needs to be done.

I guess that probably explains the work of our Savior, doesn't it? He saw our lost and condemned condition. In response to our need, Jesus left the comfort zone of heaven and came into this world to do what needed to be done. True Man and True God, Jesus became the divine Good Samaritan and gave Himself so all who believe on Him might be saved.

Now, in appreciation for what Jesus has done for us, we are enabled to be Good Samaritans for others. And that might even mean we help a mom with a distraught baby in church or on a plane.

Well, it might.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for all Jesus has done for me. May I reflect His love to others around me. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Nahum 1-3    Acts 23:1-15

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