If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, who would you call? If you need help, who would you call? Maybe it’s a hypothetical situation today, but in September 2001 that question was very real for Mark Ashton-Smith. BBC News reported the story this way:

 

“When a Cambridge University lecturer’s kayak capsized in rough seas off the Isle of Wight in England he phoned his father in Dubai for help. As Mark Ashton-Smith clung helpless to his canoe he decided not to dial 999 (the British equivalent of dialing 911 in the U.S.) Mark Ashton-Smith did what he thought best. Instead he first called his sister in Cambridge and then his father 4,000 miles away in the United Arab Emirates. Both then alerted the Solent coastguards to the drama unfolding less than a mile away from them. After clinging to his kayak for nearly an hour, the 33-year-old was winched to safety by helicopter.”

 

He called on family. He called on his father. It was likely the efforts of his father, Alan Pimm-Smith. Although he was far away training British troops in Dubai, he knew exactly what to do. The coast guard arrived less than 15 minutes after the phone call.

 

The key to getting the help we need is knowing who to call. Our father welcomes our call and is ready to listen, guide and help. Too often, we call everyone else we can think of first. As we study prayer this month, let’s be reminded that He should be our first call.

 

– Brian