Compassion....

I have been doing a lot of thinking today about the things in my life that affect others. What do I do that reflects the love of God? What do I do that shows others the same kindness, compassion, & love that Christ showed? Our actions, our words, our compassion, our kindness, our friendly smiles - we are living examples of effort. Notice I say, 'effort' because none of us are perfect. But living a life of christian principles gives us a desire to be 'Christ-like'.

One of my most favorite things to do, is be in the drive-thru and pay for the customer behind me. I haven't done it often (and I'm not mentioning it for bragging rights) but I heard this story a couple of years ago about a guy who did that at a Starbucks, and the 'pay-it-forward' approach impacted so many people that a national story was written about it. One tiny little $5 act made a huge difference in people's lives all across the nation.

When I sit in the drive-thru, occasionally I get a gripping feeling in my gut, I am reminded of this kind act, and I feel like a child going against her conscience if I don't follow through with it. Sometimes it might have been less than $4, sometimes less than $10. But I think about how blessed I am, and even though I might not have a lot of extra money to 'justify' paying for a stranger's breakfast or lunch, I remind myself what I would waste $5 or $10 on ANYWAY....and this isn't a waste, it's an investment. How?? Well, I tell the worker "I want to pay for the person behind me - Will you just tell them I said God Bless You."

This can impact the employee, this can impact the person behind me. But either way, I want to be God's hands, I want to do his work, I want to be his feet, I want him to use me in ways that brings others to Him. Even if the person behind me or the employee knows God, believes in God - there's still a chance that they don't. Maybe they were hurt and having a bad day, and God used me by blessing them and giving them a reminder that HE IS STILL THERE. Either way, I hope to show that there are still good people in this world. I don't want to join in and be hard-hearted - I want to prove that kind, loving, generous, compassionate people exist.

{I really want to do it and say "if you don't have a church home, please come to our church...maybe I can slip a business card sized message w/a bible scripture and church meeting times on it?? Then tell the employee to give it to them w/their receipt??}

My favorite saying is "Life is unfair, but God is still good". Even in the most devastating circumstances, He still makes Himself present with small blessings - reminding us that he is always there for us.

Christ had so much compassion! In Matthew 9:36-38 it says "When he (Jesus) looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!" I want His compassion! I want to rid my mind and my heart of all the negative, and I want to impact others for HIS glory.