Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13)
I'm very discouraged with the challenges lately. I've sent Jordan multiple texts without response. I think maybe by the time I'm done with these 40 dares I hope to be able to call him instead of texting. I'll just have to see how he's responding by the end of this. Because of his lack of response, I really have no idea if this is doing any good. I won't give up, it may take doing everything in the book over again for a second time before anything makes headway. I don't know, but I really felt like today's chapter was a good reminder for me too. I often feel a lack of compassion from others around me. I think I can be a very compassionate person, but I can also lack compassion when it comes to those closest to me. Jordan may not have to deal with that coming from me because of the distance, but still it's a good reminder to me to work on being compassionate.
There's a section of the chapter that I wanted to quote, an entire paragraph, because it's important to know. Jesus is ultimately the picture of compassion we need to look at. People will always fail, but Christ does not.
"Jesus, as always, serves as the model of love's greatest attributes, including the merciful warmth of compassion. Amazingly, He set examples of how to show it to...
- the weary, the "distressed and dispirited" (Matthew 9:36)
- the ignorant, like "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34)
- the disorganized who were overwhelmed (Mark 8:1-3)
- the greatly indebted (Matthew 18:27)
- the mourning who had lost a loved one (Luke 7:12-14)
- the broken sinner (Luke 15:20-21)
- the abused and needy (Luke 10:31-35)
Jesus allowed himself to be 'moved with compassion' and personally feel the sorrows and burdens others were feeling. Then he went into action to lighten their load. In fact, within these seven 'compassions' of Jesus, you'll find a fairly complete picture of His salvation: how He came to us when we were wearied by sin, spiritually indebted to Him, ignorant of how to clear ourselves, unprepared to face God and eternity. Though He is saddened and painfully aware of our wickedness, He offers the needed forgiveness that His loving sacrifice can provide (Romans 5:8)."
I think in any of this, it's important to remember that we only have the ability to love in the ways listed in this book because we have been loved by the one true God. I am thankful for the opportunity to love my children and to teach them because I can look to Jesus who has shown me how. His example is the best example we can have as to how to treat our children.
Lord, I thank you for your compassion on me. I thank you that despite the terrible choices I've made and the mistakes I make, that you still show me compassion. I thank you also for the compassion you have for Jordan and I hope that he knows and feels your compassion. I pray for him today, that he will trust you and always go to you. In Jesus name.
"It's being the tender hands of Jesus. It's wrapping your arms around them instead of wringing their necks. It's knowing when to step in and rescue instead of leaving them in a ditch. It's the beautiful healing of consolation."
May Your compassion come to me that I may live. (Psalm 119:77)
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