Compassion in the Aisle
On the same day that I ran into an old friend in Aldi, I overheard a conversation in another store between two friends who were happy to run into each other.
As I looked at some possible purchases, these friends were catching up right next to me. It was difficult not to overhear them. As the conversation wound down, they told each other how glad they were that they had seen each other. Then the man said, “I’m sorry about your daughter.”
“It’s about ripped my heart out,” she replied. “It has ripped my heart out.”
I don’t know what has ripped out that mama’s heart; but as mamas, you and I can certainly imagine many scenarios that could. My heart is sorry for the mama and my heart was touched by the man. I know that his words of compassion were difficult to say, but he said them.
God has given us the need for and the ability to provide loving and compassionate face-to-face human connections. He has taught us how to do that by His own example.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
While He was on earth, Jesus demonstrated God’s compassion.
Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them,
because they were distressed and dispirited
like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
And God gives us the task of demonstrating compassion with our children every day in our interactions with others and with our children.
So, as those who have been chosen of God,
holy and beloved,
put on a heart of compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience;
Colossians 3:12