Dear Ones,
Hope you have a wonderful day. I am going to make Swedish meatballs and do other food prep and go to my eye appointment. This afternoon we are invited to friends for coffee and fellowship.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Hopefully all of us have known compassion shown by others around us and know the wonderful feeling of others sensing what we are going through and expressing care. Our Heavenly Father is so compassionate with us and opens the way for us to follow His example. Paul also tells us in Col. 3:12, “Put on then as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” He goes on to say we should be bearing with one another, forgiving and loving.
We are all called to be compassionate as God’s children and we should be the first to notice when others are going through painful times, disappointment, fear, anxiety, etc. Perhaps more than ever today there is a lack of compassion for others as people are lonely, lost in their phones, not seeing even their family’s needs. There are many people in our country that are emotionally starved and feel no one really sees them or cares for them. There is great lack of emotional nourishment and shouldn’t the family be the place we would receive that rich gift? I love that we ate meals together when I was growing up, and then with our own family it was important that we sat and ate together and shared our day. I suspect many feel that no one cares about their day or what is happening as there are never any questions asked. Some kids don’t complete their schoolwork and act out, as they cry for attention and want to know that they are noticed.
Compassion is something that can be developed through work and effort. Children can learn it early in life from their parents. If you are on Facebook, you see parents walking with their child and go right by someone in need and show no concern at all. Then other scenarios show a parent stopping and helping someone so the child is being trained to see the hurts of others and to respond with compassion. Sometimes it is just a matter of attentively listening to someone else and they can pick up our caring and feel warmth of Jesus’ love. Let us be sensitive to others and show compassion!
Challenge for today: Thank someone in your life who has shown you compassion and ask the Lord to help you learn to be more compassionate, especially those closest to you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy