Our local newspaper had a story on the front page last week with this headline: “Man Catches Teen Falling from New York Park Ride.” (June 26, 2017)
It all took place at Six Flags Great Amusement Park, north of Albany, New York. The ride is called the Sky Ride.
Quoting from the article: “Matthew Howard was just leaving the amusement park Saturday evening with his family when he heard someone screaming for help. He looked up to see a young girl dangling about 25 feet off the ground from a slow-moving sky ride as the sun was setting. Her little brother sat next to her in the green two-person pod, crying hysterically, saying that he couldn’t hold on.”
So Howard and his daughter ran over and positioned themselves right under the girl. He then cried out to her, “It’s okay. It’s okay to let go. I’ll catch you, honey.”
He held out his arms, and he caught her, along with several others giving help. She was okay, but he had to go to the hospital for a couple of days for injuring his back.
I really like that story because for me, it points to Christ, and our faith in Him. We sometimes find ourselves like that young girl - - desperate, struggling, and barely hanging on.
But if we listen carefully, there is Someone who cries out, “It’s okay. It’s okay. I will catch you. Let go.” That is the Gospel. That is the good news of our faith. I believe it with all of my heart.