Piloting Faith: Here is what I know about compassion...

A Word for the Day...

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once told about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child; the winner was a four-year-old boy. His next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into his gentleman's yard, climbed into his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing. I just helped him cry.”

I often think how sad it is that we have turned our greeting question of “how are you?” into a common and meaningless form of superficial connection. We all respond as if by rote by saying, “I’m fine; How about you?” I wonder if we would know what to say if someone said: “I’m not good today.” A response from the heart. A response that was true and honest and real. Would you run, or would you sit by them, hold their hand, and help them cry?

The gospel writers note many times that Jesus was filled with compassion for the people. Compassion was the cornerstone of Jesus’ ministry, and it should be the cornerstone of ours.

- Rev. Cameron Trimble, author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation Take Flight

Prayer for the Week

God of all that is good,

We confess today our tendency to wander, to fall back on the same old patterns even when they bring the same old harm.

May we find comfort in remembering that you were also tempted. You know what it's like to have temptation parade before you all the glittering alternatives that lead to gloom in the end. You were faithful. Help us be faithful, too.

Throughout this day, draw us into your mind and heart. May we thrive in the simple joy of your presence - listening for your leading, remembering your goodness, turning away again and again from exits to nowhere.

Thank you for your promise to show us the real way out - and help us to take it. When we are powerless, raise us up. Carry us to safety.

Amen.

(adapted from The Prayer Wheel by Patton Dodd, Jana Riess and David Van Biema)