Today's Word....Compassion

Today's Word.....Compassion... sympathy for the suffering of others,

often including a desire to help...

This word....hurts just to think about it!

In a busy world, the world around me, a hi-tech world of internet, iPods,

LCDHDTV, GPS, iPhones, etc. is there any 'time' for.....compassion?

Often the answer is 'No'!

But this lesson of 'compassion' was brought home to me last

week as Charlie and I were returning from, of all places,

Home Depot (we own the place in daily investments)...

Just before turning on busy Ulmerton Rd. (the new International Drive)

we saw a decrepit looking cargo van pulled off to the

side of traffic and we passed a man walking with a gas can in his hand...

We see this kind of thing all the time in some form or another.

Zooming by ready to make our turn, one of us say,

"We should give this man a ride to the gas station."

We know that it is only 1/2 mile away...it is broad daylight and he

looked 'non-threatening'...

Charlie stopped, backed up and we asked if we could take

him to the gas station....he didn't even know where the nearest one was to be found...getting his gas, we start back to his 'side of the road van'....

he is very grateful, saying he couldn't believe anyone stopped etc.

Finally I told him that as Christians our faith, helps us to

help others and God must love him a lot because we were

in a hurry but saw he needed a quick ride ...

Then this man said a very profound thing .....'yes, I know you are Christians

but you showed it by your action and most people don't....

I was shocked at this truth....for I, too, have been guilty again and

again of 'lack of compassion' for my fellow man in simple things of life...

I do know the dangers of .....helping strangers.

But didn't God give us a brain?

Has 'fear' of getting robbed, mugged, killed caused us to give up

on the simple action of being a 'good Samaritan' when the

need is right before our eyes and we can help 'safely'?

The dictionary tell me....

Good Samaritan: somebody who helps those in need: somebody who helps others who are in difficulty, without expecting any reward or recognition.

Most of my family members and friends are good Samaritans on a daily basis...

and it is never spoken of....this is a normal 'action of life'....

Why did I speak of this here?

Because a stranger had to re-remind me that it is in the

simple actions of life that our 'faith' speaks volumes....

Compassion breathes a 'desire to help'....as needed.

"Thanks for the lesson, Mister."

Now, who....blessed who?