“What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.” (Matt 13:3-7, MSG)

Many years ago a student of mine was driving with his family on a country highway during the Christmas season. The children in the car were quarreling, and the mother had just turned around in her seat to stop the argument when they were hit, head-on, by another vehicle. The mother was instantly killed. My student was thrown through the window and sustained multiple orthopaedic injuries as well as traumatic brain injuries. His father was also seriously injured.

The child, who I will call “George”, was airlifted to the nearest children’s hospital. As soon as I found out about this, my family and I drove down to see him. He was so happy to see us. When he was later transferred to our local hospital, we went to see him often. When he came home, he needed a teacher to help him keep up with the curriculum while he continued his rehabilitation. Overall, he had a very good recover, but he will always have problems walking. What struck me about “George’s” story is that despite all of this, he was always happy.

After “George” finished elementary school, I wouldn’t see him again for 15 years. Then one day, he came to my school. The caretaker, who was my friend, knew “George” and brought him immediately to my classroom. I was teaching when she knocked on my door with the message, “I have a surprise for you!”

I was so happy to see “George”. He told me he was living way up north, and he now had a job and was doing well. He had come by my school while down visiting his family to thank me. He said, “You made a difference in my life!”

Caring makes a difference. May we always follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He always cared and he loved everyone He saw. He still cares. For you. Will we care for others as well?

Rob Chaffart