He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother!

“But I’m strong, strong enough to carry him. He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”
-- performed by The Hollies (1969)

***
Are you strong? Are you in shape? Can you run a mile? How about running a ½ mile carrying another person? Sound like a lot of work? Not for Andover High School cross-country runner, Josh Ripley. This past September, Ripley was competing with his team in the Applejack Invite in Lakeville Minnesota. 261 competitors had entered the race. For Ripley, the race started out like any other race; ordinary until about a mile into the race when Josh heard the sound of someone in distress. After rounding a corner, Josh found fellow competitor, Mark Paulauskas, bleeding profusely and clutching his ankle. Paulauskas had been spiked (cleated) and was unable to walk. The runners ahead of Ripley were either too focused to notice Paulauskas or simply chose to ignore him.

The 6’5” Ripley scooped up the 5’5” Lakeville freshman into his arm and began running with him. Ripley asked Paulauskas if he could say a prayer for him. Paulauskas agreed. Paulauskas said that Ripley kept trying to assure Paulauskas that he would be alright. After running with Paulauskas for almost a ½ mile, Ripley was able to hand off the injured freshman to the Lakeville coach.

Ripley was in last place and considerably far behind the other runners when Paulauskas was handed off to Paulauskas' coach. Filled with adrenaline and a competitive spirit, Josh Ripley was determined to finish the race. Finish the race he did; he passed 50 runners on his way to the finish line. Ripley finished 211 out of 261 competitors.

Mark Paulauskas was taken to an emergency room and was given twenty stitches to close the wound. Paulauskas said he was incredibly grateful for Ripley’s act of compassion and selflessness. Some are lauding Ripley as a hero; a label that Ripley quickly discounts. Ripley said, “I did nothing special. I really feel I just did the right thing. Any of my teammates would have done the same thing. It wasn't an act of heroism. It was an act of kindness that I know I needed to accomplish."

Josh Ripley's story sounds familiar; it is a modern day Good Samaritan story. The runners who passed by Paulauskas are like the priest and Levite who ignored the injured traveler. Ripley is the Good Samaritan who "being moved with compassion" stopped to render assistance to a fellow man in need. (Luke 10:25-37)

I ask you: How many times have you turned a blind eye when someone was in need? With our busy lives it is not difficult to offer a variety of excuses why we cannot lend a hand to someone in need: "I'm too busy," "It will make me late," or "someone else will help them." What about the occasions where we were too preoccupied with our lives that we did not even notice someone in need? How many times have we missed the chance to do what Josh Ripley referred to as "The right thing?" Stopping to help someone in need is always the right thing; it may not be the easiest or the most popular thing to do; it might even disrupt your plans. But, one thing is for certain, the right thing is always the right thing to do. Ripley stopped to do the right thing. It most certainly cost him a chance to win the race. However, the true winner of the event was not the person who crossed the finish line first; the true winner was a competitor by the name of Ripley.

Today, take time to step outside of your world. When you do so, you will find plenty of opportunities for you to come to the aid of another. Remember, demonstrating compassion not only benefits a person in need; it makes you a better person and in turn the world a becomes a better place to live.

His welfare is my concern
no burden is he to bear
we'll get there

For I know
He would not encumber me
He aint heavy, he's my brother

- The Hollies

***
It's your life: live it, love it & celebrate it!
MJD