The Rescued becomes the Rescuer

On Sunday we had an awesome lesson about the Savior's admonition to "feed my sheep". It occurred to me that at different points we are each sheep and also shepherds. We all have times when we need to be 'fed' by others and also times when we know we have "feed" His sheep. This story popped up in my news feed from 3 years ago, it is about the rescued USS Nevada becoming the rescuer. 

I am grateful for the USS Nevada. (I went to a fireside tonight and learned about this amazing story of change.) During Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the battleship USS Arizona was destroyed, and the USS Nevada, despite a valiant fight, was struck by several bombs and left burning on a beach near Hospital Point.
While the USS Arizona remained in Pearl Harbor, the USS Nevada was recovered and repaired. It was re-outfitted with the latest technology and returned to sea. In time, the battleship USS Nevada became the flagship for the Normandy invasion.
The Nevada was the only ship that was present at both Pearl Harbor and Normandy. It went from beached and burning to one of the most effective and modernized battleships in the fleet. The rescued became the rescuer.
We all know individuals who are beached and burning, their lives in shambles, their spirits destitute of hope. Whether they have illness--mental, spiritual, or physical or have been hurt or betrayed. Some people may lose a spouse to death, or a parent, or lose a job, or suffer from an addiction. Some people allow themselves to be destroyed and sunk. But then there are people who are like the USS Nevada and literally rise from the ruble and allow themselves to be rescued and repaired. I know that the only one that can rescue and repair people is the Savior through the Atonement. Then there those that after being rescued and repaired turn and reach out to others and offer their lives in service and become examples of Christlike love and offer hope. They have become battleship USS Nevadas. Rescued to rescuer.