First Responders

“Carry each other's burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” 
Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

One of my favorite television shows is the CBS hit drama Blue Bloods. The storyline centers around the Reagans, a family with a four generation legacy of New York Police Department (NYPD) officers. NYPD cops wear blue uniforms and are often referred to as the NYPD blue. The show's title Blue Bloods carries a double significance: the blue aspect refers specifically to the NYPD uniform and police work is in the Reagan family's blood line across generations. Working for the NYPD isn't just a job for the Reagan family members, it's a legacy. One of the frequent topics that comes up at the weekly Reagan dinner table is the subject of "first responders." First responders are those individuals who are often the first people on the scene of a crisis or emergency. Firefighters are usually first on the scene for help with fires; EMTs help with accidents; and police officers are usually the first to respond to crimes or emergency calls. The term "first responder" has an additional meaning for many New Yorkers, however. When New Yorkers use the term, they are often referring to all of those who responded to the 9/11 terrorism attack when terrorists hijacked two airplanes and crashed them into the twin towers. Some 3000 Americans were killed in the  9/11 attack. 

One of my favorite Blue Bloods lines occurs when Office Jamie Reagan tells a colleague, "We're the crazy ones Eddie! Most people run away from danger. We're trained to run to it!" 

I've thought a lot about first responders since Mama's death two weeks ago. Two long time friends were the first ones to show up early Thursday morning with some of my favorite comfort foods: a warm made-from-scratch pound cake and Honeybaked ham. Both friends came with other helpful items such as paper products, bread, and sides. Another first responder showed up quickly thereafter with chicken salad, pimento cheese, and soup. My family was set for the next few days and the first responder assistance really helped us as funeral arrangements, travel plans, and other details were coordinated. In more ways than not, funerals are a lot like weddings: you can only plan so much in advance and then you wait. As soon as the waiting is over, the tsunami hits and everything happens at lightening speed.

Beyond the first responders were those who gave the Gift of Presence. These are the people who show up and bring comfort care just by being present. To be sure there were many of the Gift of Presence people who also brought presents: casseroles for my freezer, flowers, plants, and gift cards. We are grateful for each and every card, text, call, note, and meal that was given.  One of the young moms in my Thursday morning Bible study said it best, "We just want you to feel surrounded by love." Indeed I have and still do feel loved and overwhelmed with gratitude for the care and concern demonstrated over the last two weeks.

Tuesday I had a chance to be a first responder to someone else. My Dad's sister died at age 94 and her funeral was yesterday. Aunt Elizabeth and I had three unusual things in common: we shared the same birthday; we both had special needs sons; and neither one of us were big huggers. We often laughed and said we were "hug averse". Occasionally Aunt Elizabeth would write me a short note on a plain piece of paper just to let me know that she prayed for James Bruce daily. Her own special needs son died years ago in his early forties, but Aunt Elizabeth always had a place in her heart for special needs kids and their parents.

In today's Bible Bits verse, the Apostle Paul commands us to carry each other's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. That Royal Law of Love is fleshed out in Jesus' most famous sermon, The Sermon on the Mount. Those three chapters in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 provide a detailed description of what life in the kingdom of God is supposed to look like for a citizen of the Kingdom. Jesus distills his words down to two commands: Love God and love others. When we do that, we fulfill His Royal Law of Love.

All of us need First Responders and all of us, at some point, can be someone else's First Responder: someone who runs toward the need of the moment instead of running away from it. Who do you know that could use a first response from you? Perhaps it's a young mom with sick children who needs a meal and a night off from cooking. It might be a lonely widow or elderly neighbor. Maybe a college or high school student would benefit from a note of encouragement. The list of possibilities is endless but we can all be a first responder to someone.

It seems fitting to close this Bible Bits post with another favorite Blue Bloods quote that is often repeated around the Reagan's dinner table.

 "I am only one, but I am one.

  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.

 And I will not let what I cannot do

 Interfere with what I can do." 

Edward Everett Hale

"Carry one another's burdens." Galatians 6:2 (NIV)