The Miners' Greatest Gift

Something unique and heart-warming on an unprecedented scale occurred this week with the successful rescue of the Chilean miners. When ever in our lifetimes have the hearts of people all over the world been focused intently on the lives of a mere thirty-three people in mortal danger? The rescue plan worked, and people everywhere watched and rejoiced.

There is a special message here. We humans are first of all individuals with a love of life. I think all of us subconsciously if not consciously identified with these men. We wanted them to live because we love life and life is the most precious of all gifts. In the hum-drum of everyday life, with all its obstacles and troubles, we generally lose sight of that fact. At least I do. This week the Earth held its breath for a day, and we remembered. Would that we could bring that universal recognition of our humanity in common to all of our country's foreign relations!

As I was watching Wednesday noon, one of the miners emerged and then immediately took a knee, pointed skyward, bowed his head, and folded his hands in thanks to his God. Most of us—and probably all of us at one time or another—forget to thank the Giver of life for this His greatest gift to us, our very lives. Some of us choose to deny there even is a divine Creator. This is their right and their loss. Of the rest, I invite those of you who are so inclined to join me in using this occasion to pray together, rejoicing in the God who preserved the lives of these miners and the joy and happiness of their families and preserves ours as well, day in and day out, day after day after day.

With thanksgiving for all gifts, but this week especially for life itself,
Margaret