A Titanic Act of Love

Anyone who has watched the James Cameron movie blockbuster Titanic, will see the fateful night the great ship sank, told through the eyes of a survivor, Rose Bukater, played in the film by Kate Winslett.

As the Titanic was built in my native city I have a fascination with all stories surrounding the ship, but this next one is my favourite.

Many may not know his name, but he was the man who sacrificially risked his life to rescue a few of the lives of those perishing in the icy sea, while the doomed Titanic was still sinking.

While the other lifeboats headed towards the rescue ship the Carpathia, Lifeboat 14 was the only lifeboat to go back. The officer in charge of Lifeboat 14 was a Welshman called Harold Geoffrey Lowe. His action was one that demonstrated a love that was both selfless and sacrificial.

Although all the other lifeboats feared the probability of being sucked under as the Titanic sank, Lowe risked life and limb to rescue the perishing from the icy waters. The New York Senate hearings vindicate this one man’s heroic decision, as it was proven that there was in fact no undertow from the Titanic as the ship sank. 

Harold Geoffrey Lowe Fifth Officer RMS Titanic, I posthumously salute you as one of my all-time heroes.

Thinking of officer Lowe’s heroism is possibly a far cry from our fledgling efforts. Just maybe we could see our day today, be filled with a little sacrificial love in action.

Every morning I am in work in work Susan shows a little ‘sacrificial love in action’ by bringing me a cup of tea from the vending machine…thank you Susan.

Every week our elderly neighbours demonstrate a little ‘sacrificial love in action’ by returning our various coloured refuge bins to the top of our driveway – thank you Georgie and Edith …in the busyness of life we rarely get to say thank you. 

Let’s endeavour to live out the lyrics of the Australian soap opera: “Everybody needs good neighbours, just a friendly wave each morning, helps to make a better day”

 “Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best, Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.(1 Corinthians 13 from the Message Bible)”