Margaret Sangster is a social worker for her state. She told her colleagues about seeing a young boy in an urban ghetto who appeared little more than a bit of twisted human flesh. He had been struck by a car several months before and had not received proper medical attention.

Although not part of her caseload, she took the boy to an orthopedist, who performed surgery on his legs. Two years later the boy walked into Sangster’s office without crutches. His recovery was complete. The two embraced. Margaret Sangster said to herself, “If I accomplish nothing else in my life, I have made a real difference with at least this one!”

Retelling the story, Sangster said, “This was all several years ago now. Where do you think that boy is today?” They suggested that he might be a school teacher, a physician, or a social worker. With deep emotion, Margaret Sangster responded, “No, he’s in the penitentiary for one of the foulest crimes a human can commit.” The she said, “I was instrumental in teaching him how to walk again, but there was no one to teach him where to walk.”

When Jesus told the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, also said, “I say unto you arise” (Mark 2:5 & 11).

Tags: offense, rise, sin