TO SAVE A LIFE
She couldn’t swim. So, what prompted Abigail Becker to wade in chin-deep waters to save the lives of strangers, sailors adrift in a sinking ship?
Numerous storms ravaged the shores of Long Point, Lake Erie. And year after year, Abigail made her way through cold or icy waters to save those she could from certain death. One story relates that four shipwrecked survivors made the trek to her cabin door, but another two dropped somewhere along the way. Taking warm clothes and two of her sons, Abigail found the two and coaxed (literally pushed them) to the warmth of her home.
Later in life, the people of Buffalo, NY, offered her a monetary reward. Various societies honored her life-saving efforts, and the Prince of Wales (soon to be crowned King Edward VII) met with her and presented a letter written by Queen Victoria that included reward money.
Ironically, Abigail Becker’s husband Jeremiah succumbed to a storm on the lake, leaving her with their 14 children. She remarried, had 3 more babies, and raised a total of 17 children during her lifetime.
Contrast Abigail’s story with that of a Roman citizen, the Apostle Paul, who had been arrested for preaching the life-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because he’d requested a hearing with Emperor Caesar, he had to be shipped from Jerusalem to Rome. A fierce storm arose on the Mediterranean Sea during his wintertime transport. However, the Lord revealed to Paul that he would suffer shipwreck but none of the 276 passengers and crew would perish – but they couldn’t leave the boat!
As if hearing this news would give anyone an appetite, Paul encouraged everyone to eat the little food that remained on the ship.
God is always faithful and true to His word. Some swam, some rode on broken boards from the ship, but 276 people arrived safely on the Island of Malta. During the ensuing three months on the island, Paul preached the Good News, performed miracles, and lived for Jesus.
None of the information available about Abigail Becker points to her sharing the good news, the message of Jesus Christ with her shipwrecked survivors. But we do know that Paul, a prisoner, shared the message of eternal life with all the inhabitants of Malta.
Abigail Becker was hailed as the Guardian Angel of Long Point Bay. Heaven records the many gained eternal life through Paul’s message.
“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’” (John 4:10, NIV)