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 and 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. Dameon, the boy who gave
sacrificially so another could live, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior after
becoming close with Michael's family. Having struggled for years with physical
problems of his own, Dameon died from complications after he got an infection in
one of his legs.
Michael Leeland lives on to tell Dameon's story, the unlikely hero, who gave his
all to save the life of another and in the process, he received life
everlasting.
Do you love your neighbor as yourself? Today in prayer, confess any sin against
any neighbor and seek to love them as the Lord would have you to love them.
"Remember, the only godly reason to do anything is love. Love for God and love
for people. Is that your motivation?" - Alan Perkins
God's Word: "Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" -
Matthew 22:37-39
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2003, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN LUKE
pkennedy@devotional.com
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