So, what did you do? How did it go? Would you do it again? Tell us in the comments section of this post!
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Elaine Mariontell on Prayer: What Did You Do? Leave… Rebecca on Compassion: Leave Your Comment… Rebecca on Compassion: Leave Your Comment… Hospitality: Leave Y… on Compassion: Leave Your Comment… Rebecca on Compassion: Leave Your Comment…
I forgot to post, but I did it, too! I felt a little strange about posting about it, which means there are others who might feel the same way. I know that I’ve been so encouraged by hearing other people’s stories, though, so I decided to just bite the bullet.
This week, an opportunity really just presented itself to me! A friend went through a scary medical situation, and I had chance to go sit with her for a little bit so she wouldn’t be alone. Everything turned out fine, and I’d like to think that if it weren’t for the Practices Challenge I would have done it, anyway. But if I’m really honest with myself, I know it gave me an extra little nudge. So, I’m going to try to remember that little nudge more often! As often happens, I was more blessed by being able to help than my friend was by receiving it… God works in strange ways.
Here’s one from someone who wanted to remain anonymous. P.S. You can do that, too. Just send me an email at r.guzman@christchurchrichmond.com!
This week I emailed my sister who I had not spoken to in 25 years. I come from a pretty dysfunctional family, and I spent a lot of that time “unlearning” dysfunctional ways of operating, so to speak. This unlearning process was hard work, but well worth the effort. And it required a separation from my family – it was just too hard to accomplish new emotional habits if you were interacting with people who operated by that old rule book, especially people to whom you have an emotional tie. After awhile, reconnecting became kind of scary, because I did not want to fall back into the same patterns I had unlearned. However, recently my brother was diagnosed with a very serious illness. There was no question that I needed to be there for him. And with that reconnection, it was only a step further to reconnect with my sister. So, earlier this week I emailed her – I thought it was only fair not to call her out of the blue. I told her I wanted to talk, that if she agreed, to let me know when and where to call and I would do so. Yesterday morning we talked for 2 hours! There was no weeping, no wailing, no recrimination. Just joy at reconnecting! I thank God for the compassion and courage he has provided me in order to take these very important steps. And I thank Christ Church for this important set of practices to get me off the dime.
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(Here’s one from Rick Rowland)
The word “compassion” has always appealed to me. I think this is partly due to my belief that we’re all interconnected through our common humanity, feelings and experiences and, most importantly, creation by God. Given this interconnectedness, it’s difficult not to have feelings of compassion toward other people.
Certainly, we were all moved with compassion (and, many to action) by the earthquake in Haiti, the hurricane in New Orleans, the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, and the 9/11 attacks. But how do we show compassion in our ordinary, day-to-day lives, especially when we’re busy, distracted, and always watching the clock?
I suggest that if we’re going to be compassionate, we must be mindful. We have to look for opportunities to share in the suffering of others, to show them sympathy and mercy, to give them aid or support. Personally, I find that my workplace provides me with numerous chances to “practice” compassion. When I’m mindful (about which I have to be intentional!), I try to be aware of what’s going on in the lives of my colleagues. A single mother has ongoing challenges in raising her teenage son, who has ADHD; one man had three teeth extracted late last week; another man lost his mother several months ago. These are all opportunities to reach out, to be present and to, albeit in a “little way,” show compassion.
In commenting on A Collect for the Ministry in the book, “A Year of Days with the Book of Common Prayer,” Bishop Edmond Lee Browning stated that, “We are here for one another.” I can’t think of a better reason to practice the virtue of compassion!
(This is a comment that I reposted from another place on the blog, but it relates here. Thanks to Elaine for leaving it!)
Ok, so you know how God works through us when we aren’t even aware he is doing it, right?
I had not spoken to the woman I refer to as “Mom” ( Pappy’s widow) in about 3 weeks because she recently moved and “never” has her cell phone on. I had been thinking about her over the past couple of weeks/days and this morning was adamant about reminding myself to call her on her new home phone I had at work. I had her home number written “somewhere” on my work desk calendar along with a half dozen of other numbers with no names!!! So when I got to work I scanned my calendar and a number jumped out at me… no area code attached, not even knowing if it was hers.
I called the number and Mom answered the phone!!! I was elated I’d reached the right number!! When I ask her how she was doing she said “not so good today”. I told her I was sorry and asked if something happened? She responded, “you know what today is, don’t you?” I thought for a second as I studied the date on my calendar… July 13th? Thinking why does that date ring a bell to me? I suddenly realized it was Mom and Pappy’s anniversary!!
It was such a GOD thing!!!!!! Of all the days I’d thought of calling her over the last several weeks/days, I picked today to call her, not even knowing she was hurting…..that was the Holy Spirit working through me!! We talked for an hour… laughed, cried and rejoiced in the love we share among our family/friends and our Lord Jesus Christ!!! Mom just couldn’t believe of all people, on all days… I was the one who called her, the one she wanted to talk to….. and she agrees…. God put it on my heart to call her……..and he surely did!!!
Today would have been Mom and Pappy’s second anniversary. God called Pappy home Dec. 2009. He was my ex-father in law, but after my dad’s death in 1993, Pappy assumed the father role.
So when you think God isn’t listening to your heart, feels your pain, knows your desires…. don’t be too surprised when he gives you a present, like the one he gave Mom and me today…………… Hope, Love and Joy!!
Early this morning I was reminded how Jesus calls us to acts of mercy in a variety of ways…especially as 21 mid highs, 5 adults and at least 2 senior highs shoved off for the Pittsburgh project where they’ll spend the week helping others. Compassion is action, near and far…