A Good Salemite Story

Last weekend as I was riding past Riverfront Park here in downtown Salem, I witnessed a horrific sight. I glimpsed an old cyclist crossing a railroad track as he was leaving the park. As it happens, he did not make it past the tracks. As I looked over I saw him and his bike do a nose dive into the pavement in front of him. At first I did not know what was happening. For a split second, my mind did a flip-flop and a double take. Did that really happen? It looked like slow motion. Regardless, I didn’t think twice as I pedaled on over to him forgetting my agenda. I laid my bike down and knelt down close to this man. He was in bad shape. His face was smashed against the cement with a puddle of blood to show for it. He wasn’t moving except for some shaking and groaning. I quick whipped out my cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. There really wasn’t anyone else around save for the passing cars that took no notice. As I was waiting for the dispatcher to pick up, a gentleman was walking towards me to see what the problem was. I called over to him and asked if he had a phone because mine for whatever reason was not getting through to Emergency. Of all the times for my phone to malfunction, this had to be it. The other man called and got through to the paramedics just as a man and his wife came running from their car parked in the park. I helped get the bike off of him. They asked the man his name and started to administer first aid that they got from their car. Luckily he was conscious and was able to sit up. The ambulance and fire came and took it the rest of the way. They took him away on a stretcher and also were kind enough to bring along his bike. Not a minute after they drove away a downpour of rain and hail started to happen.

I don’t know if this man was homeless, but he did have some homeless friends near the scene that were afraid and asking about him. The good news is I am sure the man will be okay. It did not look too serious, but one can never tell for sure. I was sure thankful that I was there when I was. Things happen for a purpose. At the exact moment of the accident, I was riding by. The cool thing was that the previous evening I was in a Bible study discussing the Parable of the Good Samaritan founding Luke chapter 10. I had the opportunity to practice what I studied. God is good, no? Every day there are blessings and opportunities if we know where to look…and sometimes, they come looking for us.

Will you join me in keeping your eyes pealed for opportunities to be a blessing in your community and beyond just as the Good Samaritan man had compassion on the Jewish man? Help is in short supply; let’s resupply the world.