Compassion

Pain does not discern between causes.  Whether the pain of tragedy, disease or a broken relationship, it all hurts the same.  The heart does not differentiate from one or the other.  The ache is the same.  The tears are all wet;  the sorrow is felt in the pit of the womb, and the heart still feels like it’s cracking open. 

More often than not we live in our little parts of the world about our business and things are just fine.  But somewhere in other parts of the world, maybe even as close as next door, there is a cloud of sorrow indwelling.  In other places there is rejoicing, celebration, excitement.  When one person is hurting not everyone hurts.  When some are celebrating, a wedding for instance, others are grieving over the loss of a loved one.  There are people falling in love at one place and others breaking apart in another.  A baby is born and a baby is lost.  Tragedy, rejoicing, sorrow, joyfulness…at the same time in different places. 

Some how it feels wrong to be happy when others are sad.  But when I look at the goodness of the Lord and see how He cries when we cry, laughs when we laugh and rejoices when we celebrate it makes me think.  God is aware of all of the injustices, all of the sorrows and of all the joys in the world.  He knows of every man, woman and child and their circumstances.  He can step into each life at the same time.  He simultaneously weeps, laughs, grieves and rejoices with us. Who can fathom such compassion and love? 

Compassion is to cry with others who are crying;  to laugh with those who are rejoicing; to hope with those who are praying; to stand alongside of our neighbors in whatever season they are in, just as Christ does with us.  We can’t be in all places at one time, but we can look around us right where we are at and open our eyes to see if there are those near us who are in need.  Sometimes the need is someone to share their tears, their hurts, their fears, their good news, bad news, answered prayers, prayer requests or whatever it may be.  Sometimes we all just need some compassion, not correction or instruction, just someone who cares.   Can we be willing to take on the sorrows of others when we are celebrating?  Can we still rejoice in the blessings of God while others are suffering? 

Lord, help us to be sensitive to those around us, but to also show gratitude for the seasons of joy in the lives of others as well as our own.  When sorrow comes to our lives bring others alongside of us to share in our heart aches as we share in theirs.  Let us live lives of love and compassion towards all we encounter. Help us to see the opportunities before us that we may reflect Your love light.  Give us eyes to see the seasons in the people around us.  Give us the same compassion in our hearts that is in Yours.

A drop of light

As I was sitting at the dining room table this morning and battling discouragement, about to toss in the towel of my faith I glanced out my window at something that caught my eye. I saw a blinding little light in the tree in our yard. Something clicked in my spirit and heart at that precise moment and gave me hope again.

It's so easy to feel invisible in this world. A grain of sand lost in the sands of time. Feeling like we make no difference in this world of 7 plus billion people. Yet, the sands touch together. We as people are all affected by each other. Every grain of sand rubs against others.

This little bright twinkling light in the morning sun shared some encouragement with me. This little droplet of water was reflecting the radiant light of the great sun. I could see it in the bright daylight. There were no others to witness this little day time reflector, but I believe it was just meant for me to see. Maybe it was a strange coincidence but it returned to my heart hope. That in all things, as we reflect the Lord's light in this world, we can make a difference by touching the life of just one person. By this we've doubled our portion. Maybe then that person can light up and affect another and now our portion is tripled. And so forth.

My point is it's impossible to not impact the world we live in even as a lone grain of sand or a lone droplet of water. Whether we are rubbing up against someone and causing friction or being a reflection of the Light of the world we make a difference.

Lord let my light shine because You are my source. Forgive my faithlessness and help me to remain faithful when hopelessness abounds around me like a wild storm. Encourage my eyes to gaze towards Your glory so that I may reflect Your light right where You have placed me in this world.   

We've lost our way...

Jesus, forgive Your church.  My heart grieves over how lost we've become.  There are those who rejoice that the world hates us, yet it isn't because we are without fault like You were Lord.  It's because we are at fault.  The world hates us because we have been without love towards them or even worse towards one another.  In Your Word you said "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. ..."  But You did good while you were in the world.  I know there are members of the Church that indeed ARE doing many good things.  But the part of the Body in the Western world is lukewarm, self involved, compromising, legalistic, self-righteous, critical, judgmental and without love.  They don't love themselves with the Love You've given us Lord!  We need You!!!  Forgive us Lord, we don't mean to be so ignorant in our ways.  We think we're doing right, but without understanding our worth to You we have gotten it all mixed up.  

We are a confused Body Lord.  Please enlighten us with Your heart towards us that we may reflect Your Love towards others.  Jesus, you never badgered, condemned, criticised or belittled the lost.  You loved them into Your Kingdom.  We need to be like You.  Give our hearts compassion again Lord.  Help us to forgive ourselves even so that we can extend that forgiveness outwards towards others.  Help us to cover over offenses rather than to take them on.  Humble our hearts towards Your heart Lord and give us eyes to see others as You see them.  You love those who hate you Lord and we too must love those same people.  

Forgive us Lord for our division.  The world sees we are divided and how can they possibly believe we have any answers at all when we build our earthly sanctuaries right next door to eachother and are without fellowship?!  God we have lost our way and taken a degree off course some time ago and now we are so far away from our original destination.  Lead us back on course that we may be partakers and distributors of Your glory here on earth and advance Your Kingdom.  Raise up Your people Lord to be a light in the world as You said we were to be!  Draw us together and may the world see this unity growing.  

If they are to hate us, let it be because we are a light that exposes the darkness, not because we offer them no hope.  We need to point to You in love, unity, with moral excellence and integrity Lord.  Help us to live lives of such love and goodness that You smile upon Your people and the world is affected by Your glory!

You have given us the Keys to Your Kingdom Lord, let us remember how to use them!

Day one of my non paper journal!

Lord, You know the thoughts in my mind and the desires in my heart.  My heart and soul long for You in every area of my life.  You lead my steps and have given me creativity, a sound mine, intellect, compassion and so much more.  I want to use all of these to bless Your Name while I live on this earth.  I want to live a life of such moral excellence and love that I radiate Your light through to others I meet and live with.  It is not my desire to shove Your Truth down peoples throats but to live it out in such a way that they see the goodness that comes from it.

You have changed me so much and transformed my heart and mind to Yours and I am eternally grateful!  I know You are bringing new things into my life and plan on enjoying every step of the journey You have planned for me before I was fashioned in my mother's womb!  Today Lord, let me bless those around me.  Maybe You have a Word of encouragement I can share with someone who is far off or even near by.  Could You anoint my hands as I create today that the projects I work on will bless those who receive them?  Show me who needs prayer today.  Give me strength to hold on to Your promises for those loved ones I have been praying for for so long and to not lose hope.  Thank You for Your faithfulness Lord.  Let my life return faithfulness to You. In Your name Jesus I pray....thank You for praying for me!!!