AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND

In Stockholm, Sweden, a woman was injured as she rushed to catch a streetcar. She stumbled in front of the moving car and was caught beneath it. The police sent for a crane to lift the car off her body. While waiting for the crane, a crowd of people gathered out of curiosity.

One man pushed through the crowd, crawled beneath the car, and said to her, "Take my hand." As she took his hand, she felt warmth and courage. This calmed her and prevented her from going into shock.

After the crane arrived and the woman was released, she said, "I never thought an outstretched hand could mean so much."

(From a sermon by Bruce Howell, "God’s Valentine" 2/9/2009)