Peter Kennedy reports that in March 1992, Jeff and Kristi Leeland of Seattle, Washington found out that their baby boy, Michael, had cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant.  Little Michael's older sister, Amy, was a perfect match, but the cost of the operation was $200,000.  Michael needed to have the transplant done within 90 days to live.  To make things worse, Jeff's insurance, at the junior high where he taught, did not cover the procedure.

Fellow teacher Joe Kennedy told his class about Mr. Leeland's situation.  Dameon, a seventh grade boy who walked with a limp and struggled in special education classes, heard about little Michael and visited the Leeland home.

“Mr. Leeland, don't make a big deal out of this.  If your baby's in trouble, I want to help out.”

Dameon, the kid others teased, reached out his hand and stuffed 12 five-dollar bills into Jeff's hand.  It was the Dameon's life savings.

Word got out about “Dameon's gift.”  Some kids organized a walk-a-thon.  Others contacted a local newspaper.  Others held a car wash.  Soon, the kids' wave of compassion poured out across Seattle.  By late May, area TV stations picked up the story.  The response from the news stories was overwhelming.  Only four weeks after Dameon's gift of $60, the Michael Leeland Fund totaled over $220,000.

Michael got the marrow transplant.  He lived.  He lives on to tell Dameon's story, the unlikely hero, who gave his life savings to save the life of another.*

Because of our sins, we are in a terminal condition, “for the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  But God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).  Jesus died for us so that we may live eternally (1 Thessalonians 5:10).  He gave His life so that we might live.

God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Won’t YOU accept this gift that came at such a tremendous price?  Then, won’t YOU tell others of the One who gave His life so that WE can live eternally with Him in heaven?

-- David A. Sargent

* Adapted from “Loving Your Neighbor” by Peter Kennedy in www.sermonillustrator.org.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org