My Heart, My Home

I often try to tell my kids a bible story and they inform me, “We’ve already heard this story a million times.” It’s true. But if God’s Word is alive and active, couldn’t it speak something new to me today that it didn’t in the past? I believe so.

Last weekend my brother and I had a conversation about seeing people and going out of our way to help them. I wondered, ‘what ignites this compassion in one’s heart?’ Then last night my husband and I asked each other if there are new ways to help develop compassion in our kids’ hearts. This morning, the story of The Good Samaritan came up in my bible study…and I knew God wanted to draw my attention to learning about compassion.

The Good Samaritan from Luke’s Gospel, 10:25-37, is one I’ve heard since childhood. Jesus is talking to an expert of the law who wants to inherit eternal life. This man knows he must love God and love his neighbor. He asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” The answer Jesus gives is this story of The Good Samaritan. (Below is a short and simple telling of the story in case you’d like to hear it again.)

I wonder – Jesus, what do you want me to know about God the Father’s heart from this story?

The beaten down Jewish man is standing out to me. I have felt the pain and sadness of this man, lying on the ground. I’ve felt fear of not knowing how I’m going to make it through the day, the night, or beyond. I’ve felt this pain of being ignored or misunderstood…of wanting someone to see me. I’ve felt sadness of not wanting to inconvenience anyone else, but also feeling resentful or empty, and not knowing where to find a breath of hope.

Through this story, I think Jesus wants me to know that like how the Samaritan sees the Jewish man, God sees me. God sees me when I feel broken, lost, or afraid. He not only sees, but He’s acting and working as I call out to Him for help. He wants to pick me up, soothe my wounds, and take care of me until I am healed and whole. This is my Father’s heart – my God who sees me and takes care of me.

I read this slowly…“The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” Psalm 145:8-9

I don’t think God is angry at the the first two men. They’re like little children who need to be taught by their Father what true love and compassion are, similar to how He gently brought this story to my attention.

Father God, you see me in my suffering, my sorrow, my loneliness. You know my needs and you come to me. Thank you for always being with me. Please take the blinders off my eyes and help me to be attentive to others. Make me aware of those who need my love, my attention, my listening ear, my helping hands. Help me ask good questions and give them my time. Through your love, may my family grow in sensitivity and compassion to the needs of those placed in our path. In your precious, loving name, I pray. Amen.