Qualified Compassion?

A few years ago my daughter was having a difficult time in school. Not with any particular subject, but with a particular little girl. Every day when I picked her up I would ask, “How was your day?” I never failed to hear about the antics of one young lady in her class; “she is so rude”, “she cuts in line”, “she tells everyone what to do”. Well, you get the picture.

Every day my advice remained the same “let it roll off”. I was not telling her to be a doormat, but to just stay out of her path and be nice in spite of her rudeness. Soon thereafter, I had the opportunity to speak to the girl’s mother. I asked how she was and she began to tell me how their lives had been turned upside down. Her father was in the hospital and they did not expect him to make it. She had been picking her children up from school every day, driving to the hospital and staying until the kids fell asleep on the sofa. She would then scoop them up, load them in the car and drop them into bed after 10pm every night. My daughter’s classmate was not only off her schedule, but physically and mentally exhausted. She had no control over the fact that she was losing her precious grandfather so she was trying to control the little world around her at school.

Anyone hearing this story would naturally have compassion on the little girl and give her miles of grace. I wonder…why does compassion need qualification? Often we don’t know and frankly never will understand why some people act the way they do, but knowing is not what is important. It’s how we respond. There is an old saying “hurting people hurt people”. Next time you are faced with a grumpy, disgruntled, “unlovely” person, give them your best they need your compassion more than you will ever know.

...don't forget the oil

After several years of mid-week class at Bethany Lutheran Church I was ready to be confirmed. In the Lutheran church this is your first public confession of faith followed by your first communion. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and even my Godmother came from out of town for the ceremony. Although, this is an event few 15 year olds would forget, I remember this day for a very different reason. It was the first morning I can remember waking up from a dream that would later come true.

I came downstairs to find my mother and aunt setting the table for breakfast. I told my aunt that I had a dream she was pregnant and had a little girl. Her mouth dropped as she paused to look at my mother and then back at me. She told me that she was 5 ½ weeks pregnant and had not told anyone yet. I think I was as shocked as she was and yes, some eight months later my aunt welcomed a beautiful baby girl. And so it began, I would dream about ladies in my neighborhood, when they got pregnant and the sex of the baby before it was announced. For the longest time I only dreamed about babies and then it began to expand to other events that would later come to pass.

Certainly not every dream is a “God dream” and it has taken me some time to discern the difference. One thing that stands out is the vivid detail. Years later I cannot only can see them playing out like a movie in my head, but I feel the emotions all over again. I believe that God speaks in dreams for many reasons. For me, it was a sure fire way for Him to get past all my filters and walls of doubt so I could just hear Him. When I get into times where I really need to hear His voice and it’s not getting through my thick head in prayer I ask Him for a dream. I have just experienced such a time.

There have been several words lately about hard times to come in the next few years. These words are given so we have time to prepare. However, I began to go beyond basic preparation to worry. As I was trying to understand all the words and discern what was going to happen, I asked God for a dream and He gave me one, but not the kind I was expecting. That night I indeed dreamed about the future, about events that would take place and when I woke up I had only a moment to realize this before the details were taken from me. How odd? I could see myself in the dream, but had no idea what was happening around me and why. Then I realized what He was trying to say. “What happens and when it happens is not what is important.” I had been spending so much time worrying about specific scenarios and trying to prepare for them, I was focusing on the wrong thing entirely. Be prudent and prepare yes, but know that it is God that will sustain you. Storehouses can be filled with many things, but in this season I believe most importantly it needs to be filled with knowing Him. Knowing His character, His ways and His heart so that we can recognize Him. When things happen we will be able to discern, “This is my Father’s hand and I trust in His ways” or “This is not my Father and I will not be drawn into fear.”

One last thing…as I was pondering all of this, the parable of the 10 virgins came to mind. (Matthew 25:1-13) Although there are many lessons within this parable the one I specifically thought of was the lack of oil for the lamps. (Oil representing the presence of the Holy Spirit.) Half of the virgins were unable to keep their lamps lit because they lacked oil when the time came. For what good is a lamp if you cannot light it? Likewise, what good are we, if we cannot shine in the dark times? The darker it gets the greater the need for light. In this time of preparation don’t forget the oil.

I Am Second

This week I had the privilege of working at the I Am Second Kansas City launch event at Union Station. Although I had my head buried in a script and was totally immersed in the tech I couldn’t help to hear the speakers. I found myself several times drawn into the raw emotion as person after person shared their life story. Each one “laid it on the table” for all to see and they did it because they had found a hope that transformed their lives. With all their heart, they wanted to give that hope away and if that meant getting “naked” in front of 1,000 people then it was worth it to them.

The speakers were vastly different. They were different ages; races, economic backgrounds and each struggled with a different issue. They all had an impact, but their individual stories reached different people in the audience. They were unique and so are you. The thing is we all have a story. Are you willing to tell it? I’m not asking you to “get naked” in front of 1,000 people, but what if your story could reach just one person. Would you be willing to “lay it on the table” to let God use your individual story to reach someone who struggles with the very thing you have overcome?

I once read something that has greatly impacted how I think about being transparent and real with people. “The enemy uses what is hidden against us (to torment with guilt and regret). The Lord uses what has been brought to light for His glory.” The testimony of a transformed life is an amazing tool. This doesn’t mean we have it all together and are now “perfect”, but people need to know that no matter where they are, no matter where they have come from there is a hope greater than themselves.

If you have been praying, “God use me, make my life count for something” would you consider a different prayer. Ask for opportunities to simply share your story. Ask for a “divine appointment” this week to affect just one person. If I know anything about you dear sister, it is that with all your heart you desire to give away the hope that transformed your life.