Compassion

I am working with an Adopt-A-Family ministry this Christmas and I am using my developed listening skills to hear what is not being said and filter out what I need to know from the stories that are spilled out.  Imagine being a mother of 6 children under age 10 and two of those children are mentally or physically challenged.  Then add to that, that the father left because he just couldn't take it anymore.  So here you are alone, no family, in the house with 6 kids 24 hours a day.  Unable to have a real job outside the home because you can't afford the special care needed for at least two of your children.  Is this someone who called and poured out a sob story to get help?  No.  Not in the least.  When I called her for a little more specific information as to ages on the children and such, she started sharing just small bits and pieces.  Tough life for her every day. She was glad to have someone to talk to for a few moments!

II Corinthians 1:3-4 says..."Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have recieved from God."

Just amazing.  We are comforted not to make us feel better about our situation, even though that is part of the outcome of being comforted, but rather we are comforted so that we in turn can comfort others....no matter what type of  trouble they are going through.  We are not comforted to comfort those who are only going through what we are going through, but just so that we can comfort in general.  When is the last time you comforted someone.  Have you steppped out of you own "comfort" zone to be a little uncomfortable and support or encourage a fellow human being?  It doesn't even have to be someone you know.  Perhaps they just need you to listen to them or perhaps they need you to stop and look them in the eye and just ask "Are you doing all right?".  How many times have you walked past someone in the store and they have that forelorn look or look so tired and stressed and you just quickly look away?  Sometimes a kind gesture can go a long way in inspiring someone else to encourage people.  I have a friend who will occaisionally pay for her groceries and leave an extra $5 or $10 for the next person in line or pay for the fast food order behind her.  You will never know how far that little gesture goes.  So amidst all the glitter and glamour, listen to the prodding of the Holy Spirit, those of you who are saved, and be a little more comforting in this season that is so hard on so many.  I guarantee your season will be much more joyful!

Proverbs

How many people do you know who love to read or live by Chinese proverbs?  Little quips of wisdom from someone at some point in time that others have adopted as life guides.  Morsels that inspire people to be better people, stronger people, more consistent, steadfast, diligent, etc.  Perhaps you have one or two "proverbs" of your own that you have hanging on a wall, refrigerator or mirror that you look at everday.  I have been reading the book of Proverbs written by King Solomon, who was the wisest man ever to live.  The first 9 chapters are written as an introduction.  He is directing his statements to his son as advice for life.  He states several times "Listen , my son, to your father's instruction." and "store up my commands within you...". 
You can catch the sense of urgency on the part of Solomon that his sons really remember and grasp onto what he has to say.  Perhaps he repeats it because we need to hear things several times before we remember them!  What a gold mine of practical points and poignate vision.  How many things in life have lasted as many generations as the Bible and remained as applicable in their gestation period as they are 3000 years later?  Take the challenge and read just one chapter a day out of Proverbs for the month and see how much you glean from this powerful book?