The Limited Samaritan 

I was driving down the interstate headed out of town one day. I saw on the left hand side of the road a minivan that looked to be having trouble. I eased over to the right hand side and proceeded to cross the road. There was a young lady with a van full of children who was visibly shaken. I asked her what had happened. She said that her front driver’s tire had come off and she steered to where she was now. I squatted down to assess the damage and it was bad. Not only was the tire gone, but the calibers and the lug bolts were gone. I was not going to be able to fix this. Another man had arrived who was parked on the same side as her a little distance away. He apparently was her dad and they were all returning from vacation. I told them what was missing and informed them that I could not fix this, but I could call a tow truck. Also I told them that I could help her and the children get somewhere. Her dad told me that it was okay, that they would transfer everyone over to his truck and he’d call a tow truck. I walked back and found the missing tire and returned it to them. They thanked me for stopping to help. As there was nothing that I could do, I returned to my truck and continued on my way. 

As I drove away this thought began to brew within me. We will encounter people in our lives that we will truly want to help, but we will not be able to help much if any. No matter how much we want to help, we may not have the experience, knowledge or tools available to help them. Now we may be able to get them in contact with someone who can. Yes, there may be some that need a willing ear to listen to their problems, but there will be some that will need counseling or therapy. There may be some that need a ride, but there may be some that need a vehicle. 

We have to know our limits. We have to know when someone has reached the point that we can’t help them. We have to also know that there is no shame in this. The good samaritan that helped the man that couldn’t fix everything for him. He couldn’t restore what he lost, he couldn’t bring those that robbed him to justice, he couldn’t mend the emotional damage done, he couldn’t promise him a better future. He could tend to his wounds, he could give him a comfortable place to rest and recover, he could pay for his recovery. You see there may be things we cannot do, but there are things that we can do. 

One thing we can do is pray for them. Do not think that praying for someone is a small thing. You are literally speaking to the Creator of all things, that knows all and knows exactly what is needed. 

If they are spinning out of control and have lost the ability to steer their life. If they are broke down and distraught, we can introduce them to Jesus. Jesus can heal and set free. He can lead to a life full of joy. He can restore. We may not can help them get everything back together, but we can get them in contact with the One that can. 

Proverbs 3:27 KJV Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.