Welcome to the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival on Compassion.
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Upcoming dates/words:
June 29 – Strength
July 13 – Summer
July 27 – Ego
Aug 10 – Laughter
Aug 24 – Children
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One Word at a Time…Compassion
When I read the following definition, I knew exactly which direction I had to go with this post. I was trying to decide between a few ideas, but the following words made it very clear who/what to write about…
a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
I’ve always thought of myself as an extremely compassionate person. I cry at movies, during sad songs, and of course through every Hallmark commercial.
I try to reach out to those in need… at Christmas I buy gifts for those less fortunate, I take meals to the sick, I pray for everyone I promise to pray for, and I carry the burdens of others as if they were my own.
At our last church, I held several titles that made me feel like I was making a difference… Financial Secretary, Host Team Director, Lunch Coordinator, Prayer Chain Moderator…
I was involved in everything and with everyone. I felt like God was stretching me (I mean… REALLY stretching me). I’d always been fairly shy and introverted… and now was the main greeter, in charge of the Host Team and more.
It all sounds so neat and tidy, doesn’t it? I thought I was doing so much for so many… but it was all pretty basic. The things I was doing were mostly within my comfort level. It wasn’t easy for me to come out of my shell at first, but I was still playing it safe.
Then God decided to show me how far He could actually stretch me, and how much more I had to offer (and surrender).
He took a grown woman with OCD tendencies, a phobia of germs, and an absolute hatred of everything dirty and messy… and threw me into a whole new world. One in which I never in my wildest imagination could have pictured myself being… and LOVING it!
The day I decided to become a substitute teacher, I knew there would be challenges, and that I’d have to change my mindset so I wouldn’t have a breakdown the first day.
There would be germs and maybe some messes, but I knew I could always wash my hands, and prayed that God would help me with the rest.
(Here are a few of the items I packed in my ‘teacher bag’)
Of course He wasn’t going to let me face my fears alone… but it didn’t stop there. He wanted me so far out of my comfort zone that I had to rely solely on Him. Something I’ve never been much good at doing… until now.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
He’s given me a new outlook and a deep compassion for children with special needs, as well as their families, teachers, and caretakers. I struggle alongside them… I laugh, I cry… I celebrate and rejoice in their victories, both the big and the bigger ones!
I’ve learned to watch the expressions in the eyes of those who can’t speak, to appreciate a small smile or giggle which can be a huge accomplishment for some… and to truly love every child regardless of race, gender, disfigurement, or disability.
Now when I see myself in certain situations, I can’t believe how far God has brought me. In the past week I’ve been bit and scratched, I’ve wiped green snot bubbles, been drooled on (with chocolate spit no less), wiped up vomit… and my personal favorite… I got covered in poop that dripped out of one of the kiddos diapers all over my sweatshirt.
“Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” ~
Wess Stafford, President, Compassion International
God is awesome! I never know why I’m placed in any particular class, or with specific children, but I’ve accepted it doesn’t matter… it’s out of my hands and control… right where it’s supposed to be.
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Then God decided to show me how far He could actually stretch me, and how much more I had to offer (and surrender).
Bridget, I really enjoyed this glimpse into so many facets of who you are. And I can’t help but love you more for knowing you more.
Thanks, Anne. It’s been an interesting and amazing journey!
Where you are with these children is smack in the middle of God’s heart …
Oh, Susan… that’s a beautiful thought!
He knows our gifts better than we do — and he sometimes has to throw us int he middle of something for us to learn that.
That’s precisely what has happened. I never would have given certain things a try if He hadn’t dropped me right in the middle of it! I’m truly blessed.
I love what you bring to light with this post, Bridget. I do believe it’s important to identify how God has uniquely knitted us together so we can serve from our strengths. But Christ trumps everything.
The problem with personality tests is that we can so easily put God in a box and tell Him who we are and what we can do for Him. I guess these tests kinda cause us to stop learning and growing. But God’s in the growing business. It’s how He rolls, huh?
You are the fortunate recipient of a stretching exercise in God’s “gym”. You are better for it. And because you’ve now shared it, I am better for it as well. Thank you.
Yes, it’s quite the workout, and worth every little ache and pain.
Thanks for the great comment, Scott.
Bridget I admired you so much for all that you do supporting these children already, but knowing you went into this with so much trepidation and conquered your fear of germs and so much more makes it even more admirable. We can all learn from this.
I certainly couldn’t do it on my own… thank goodness I don’t have to. Thanks for such a lovely comment.
“Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” ~
Wess Stafford, President, Compassion International
I think you are a divine appointment for those children!
Thanks so much for that… they teach me so much!
I had a similar experience. I just “retired” as our church secretary. I am also an introvert. I was definitely being stretched. However, my ending is different. I’m simply being led to write. It’s where I’m comfortable, it’s where I’m most effective. I love that He not only has called me to write, but He enables me to write.
I think that, in and of itself, could be labeled as compassionate.
Amen to that! Thanks for sharing, Brenda.