Compassion

Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:18.

Compassion!
Compassion!

We are going to explore compassion, a character trait that will be great to practice behaviorally as we engage Step 11!

Every so often when I walk into my office in the morning, I find a surprise on my desk. Not long ago the item was a sunflower coffee mug dropped off by a fellow employee. She had seen it in a shop and knew it would cheer up my wife – so she bought it and left it on my desk with an encouraging note.
It was my pleasure to take that gift home to my wife and to give it to her in the name of the woman who wanted to encourage her.
This person could have simply thought about my wife. She could have talked to someone about her in a positive way. But those things don’t come close to providing the encouragement that comes from taking action.
In 1 John 3:18, John talked about what we are to do when we see others in need. He told us to have active compassion: “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed.” When we see a need, it is good to talk about it, but we must also do something about it. We are instructed, “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” James 1:22.
Ask the Holy Spirit to place someone on your heart to help in Jesus’ name. Then take action. Make a difference today. Send a card. Give a gift. Offer a ride. Make a call. Love in deed is love indeed. – Dave Branon. Daily Bread.
Compassion (Change the World).  – Andrew Witt.

Lord, when I learn that someone is hurting,
Help me know what to do and to say;

Speak to my heart and give me compassion,

Let Your great love flow through me today. – K. De Haan

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes that we may see you in our brothers and sisters. Lord, open our ears that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the frightened, the oppressed. Lord, open our hearts that we may love each other as you love us. Renew in us your spirit. Lord, free us and make us one. Compassion is love in action. Amen. – Mother Teresa.