This past week I heard news of a sudden loss in a family with whom I am familiar. A young child, a little more than kindergarten age had become ill and died about four days after her first complaint of the illness. As I discussed the incident with a coworker, she remarked with tears welling up in her eyes, “I know what they are about to go through.” She too had lost a child and she had a deep understanding of the next steps and the emotional journey the child’s parents would undergo.

Many of us can feel for the family. Pray for all those affected by the loss of this life and sit with them wondering what that level of loss feels like. We can relate to the loss of life. I don’t know anyone with the ability to understand loss that has not experienced it on some level. We all have some point of reference. However, those words, “I know what they are about to go through” were so powerful, especially when punctuated by the expression of deep sadness that displayed in microseconds on the face of my coworker. Not having experienced this type of loss I could not know at the same level what they are about to go through yet, it was as if sharing that space in time with my coworker allowed me to somehow feel a greater degree of knowing by that brief, pure, expression of compassion.

Compassion

A sympathetic knowing of someone’s distress and a desire to help them; that is true compassion. Not only does one see the distress and have an understanding of it, one is moved to alleviate the distress in some way. My coworkers and I are now engaged in helping the family of this departed child to ease their distress. Our feelings of compassion include acting on behalf of those toward whom we feel compassion. Compassion is an expression of love.

An extremely compelling movie called “The Passion of Christ” released in 2004, depicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, including the crucifixion. God’s love for us is so complete that He gave His son so that we might have eternal life. We are to continue in that love.

When Jesus went to the cross and gave His life there, for us, He poured out compassion. He experienced all of our hurts and transgressions. As He walked this earth and died for our salvation He expressed compassion. We have been called to have compassion of others too. Note here in Philippians 2: 1-2 : “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (King James Version)

The phrase listed above “if any bowels and mercies” refers to the inward parts namely the heart; a heart of compassion. Here love is clearly linked with a heart of compassion. The love of God also connects with comfort. We are to comfort others as God has comforted us. We are to do the will of god from that heart of compassion. We are to be doers of the word.

What we go through

During those milliseconds when my coworker’s heartfelt feelings came forth caused me to think about what Jesus felt at crucifixion. That deep understanding of what we would go through accompanied by the desire and ability to do something; to act in compassion. The heartfelt sorrow and action of love.

We have all gone through something. We have had experiences of pain and loss not just for us. Part of the reason we have had these experiences is to help others as they go through. Think about something you have experienced. Something that may have seemed to blindside you. Something that at the time was devastating however, you came through it. Look for people you can help. Situations where you can say I know what they are about to go through! Help someone with the go through. Share your experience, give them some advice or just sit with them with a compassionate knowing as they go through!

It is when we serve others from our gifts that we walk in purpose, that we love our neighbor as our self.

Take Inventory and Take Action! Start today, look for ways to show compassion to others, fulfill the will of the God of all comfort! Be a doer.

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”