Today in the school lunchroom when Josh Crandall saw his friend, Ben, choking, he just froze. What’s the matter with me he thought to himself? Why didn’t I rush to help Ben?

           During the past summer, Josh had been a camp counselor in Maine. While he was there, he had to pass a CPR course and learn the Heimlich maneuver. As part of his CPR training, he was shown movies of drowning victims and heart attack patients. Josh had felt sick to his stomach when he saw the movie. Ugh, I hope I never have to use CPR he thought.

            “Hi, Mom,” he said as he walked slowly into the kitchen. “Did you bake anything?”

            “The chocolate chip cookies are in the cookie tin,” she answered. Then she noticed that Josh looked troubled.

             “How was school today?” she asked.

            “Awful,” replied Josh as he sat down at the kitchen table. “My friend, Ben, choked on part of his sandwich. I know that God teaches us to help our friends but I didn’t do anything to help him. I just sat there.”

            “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Josh,” said mom. “Sometimes when we’re confronted with an emergency, panic sets in.” 

            “Well, I’m glad I didn’t have to do CPR,” said Josh. “I don’t know if I could have done it.”

            The following day when Josh was leaving CCD class he saw Father Branson. Father couldn’t help but notice hat Josh wasn’t his usual friendly self. “So, Josh, how’s everything going?” asked Father Branson.

            “Not so good,” answered Josh.

            “I’m a good listener. Is there anything you’d like to get off your chest?” Father Branson asked.

            When Josh hesitated, the priest said, “Why don’t you come in for a soda and we’ll talk for awhile.”

            Josh felt relieved and eagerly relayed what had happened the day before.

            Father Branson explained that God is always there waiting for us. All we have to do is ask him for help. “You’re being too hard on yourself, Josh. Just keep praying for the strength to do the right thing and God will be there for you.”

            “Thanks, Father, said Josh. “I’ll try and remember to do that.”

            During the next few weeks Josh continued to practice baseball in anticipation of the season’s opening game.

            On Saturday morning at the season’s opener, Josh was up at bat with a full count when Sarah, a girl in Josh’s class, came screaming toward the field. She yelled, “Is there a doctor in the bleachers? My father just collapsed on the tennis courts.” Faces turned from side to side but nobody moved.

            “Please, somebody help him” she said with tears swimming down her face. “Doesn’t anyone know CPR?”

            Instantly, Josh threw down his bat and called out, “I know CPR. I’ll try to help him.”

            The two ran across the street to the tennis courts. Several people left the bleachers and followed.

            Josh saw Sarah’s father lying on his back. His pale face showed no movement. Josh quickly checked for a pulse. He wasn’t sure if he felt one. Immediately, he cleaned the man’s mouth and began to breathe air into him as he pressed on his chest. He knew the positioning of his hands was very important. He continued breathing and pressing but  he didn’t notice any results. Suddenly someone volunteered to help him. “I’ll help you,” said a man.

            Josh said,”When I tell you, you can breathe air into his mouth while I press on his chest.” After a few more times, Josh saw the victim’s chest heave.

            Josh and the stranger continued to breathe and pump until the paramedics arrived. The EMT squad quickly put an oxygen mask on the victim and felt for a pulse. As they got the victim on the stretcher, one of the men turned to Josh and said, “Thanks to you this man has a fighting change.” With that the ambulance sped off.

            Josh just stood there feeling physically drained as people shook his hand and slapped him on the back. “You’re a hero,” said one person.

            “You saved my father’s life,” said Sarah. “None of us knew how to do that,” she  said.

            “Well, friends help out friends,” said Josh. “That’s what the Bible teaches us.” There was no longer any doubt that if another emergency presented itself Josh would know how to react. He would have the strength to do what had to be done.