"I Am Compassionate...."

      Last night, despite it being rainy & nasty, I decided to head down with the group I work with KICKO to help at the Lost Sheep Ministry. This ministry gives out clothes, food, medical aide, and prayer for the homeless. My arm was in relentless pain...but over looking that I pushed through to find somewhere that a one-handed kid could help out. I struggled with the tables & chairs...nope that wasn't for me, and figuring this out AFTER I helped get all the tables and chairs out I moved locations. Clothes....surely I could help there, YEAH, a match! I helped divide clothes by size. As I did, I could better view the people there. I noticed with much surprise that many of the homeless men & women were actually helping and had been helping set things up. WHY? I couldn't think of a answer till a little while later when my leader said, "They are so grateful for this ministry." Looking around, you could tell. After being told I couldn't help with clothes cause it was now time to move them(I couldn't do that), I felt distressed....wishing I would of never came..I couldn't do anything! THAN THERE! I saw a couple working with the food and I jumped in! Something I could do. I handed out Bananna's as lines of people walked through the line with bags that ended up being full of food. That's when it happened..."Oh no! What happened to your arm?", "That looks painful, you ok?" Were they talking to me? "If you can smile and be in a sling, than I'm doing great!" Yes...I was the only one in a sling...they felt for me. They were COMPASSIONATE. And on another note...for me! Here they were, not sure where they were heading after this, not sure when their next meal would be...and they were worried about me.                                 "                                     " Compassion means taking pity on the condition of others...To be compassionate is to be merciful, to be filled with sympathy and mercy. Compassion cares. In fact, it cares deeply." -Elizabeth George
                Unfortunately, I'm sure not sure if I was in their situation if I could act like that...towards a kid who is going to a home packed with food. Philippians 2:5, says that we are to have the same attitude as that as Christ Jesus...now in the NT we also read that He would look at a multitude or even one people and be "MOVED WITH COMPASSION", and so should we. Another verse I recently found had this to say,
              ".....When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."
*This compassion, was always folled by a caring, kind, helpful act from Jesus. He displayed his compassion. And we should too, last night many people saw me trying to carry things and struggling and they helped me.
          Last night, as I got to talk and help this people...I stopped feeling my pain. And this morning, my cry is, I want to be able to say, "I am compassionate", and so I pray, "Break my heart 'till it's able to see those who could use some kindness from me. Amen."