Compassion...

Alright. So today was a rough day. Not that I had a lot on my plate, but I saw that others did.

Example 1:

My girls (basketball team) had practice this morning at 7:30 am. They were warming up with 'glass drill'. You take various shots using the backboard (aka glass). While watching their form I noticed some were struggling to get enough arch on the ball so I stopped the drill to demonstrate. I made it everytime when I used the glass (thank you, thank you), thus showing them the importance of aiming at the square on the backboard. Anywho, my point one of th girls seemed pretty upset. I pulled her aside and asked her what was wrong. 'Nothing.' I asked her like 3 times...nothing. Finally I said 'I know you better than that. You seems very upset. Is there something I can do for you?' Then she went on to tell me about one of the girls on the team who had upset her by something she said, how that girl was mean to another girl and that made her more mad.' I told her I would take care of it and that I needed her to be a leader on the court, so cheer up-its okay. Oh, the life of a 7th grade girl! can't you just imagine yourself and the "problems" we had.

Example 2:

A student who is, shall we say...pleasantly plump came late into class. He isn't the nicest to everyone, but other students don't treat him very well either. This student was supposed to turn in a test but hadn't done so. I told him he needed to go to CMC (those who need extra assistance) to complete another test. He told me he didn't care about the test and could care less if he failed. He looked a little upset. I grabbed an extra test and asked him to step out in the hall with me-he obliged. I looked at him and patted him on the shoulder as asked him "Hey-what's going on. Are you doing okay?" Tears welled up in his eyes-nothing. He told me several times nothing. I assured him that I would listen, just let me know. Finally he expressed to me that he was having a hard time at home and in school. The couselor wouldn't talk to him (he is always in there, but not recently), he hated having seizures (poor guy was out for 2 weeks) and taking medication. He looked at me and soleml stated...I think about hurting myself, I've thought about it a lot. I told him that wasn't a good way to feel that there are people who care. I explained how we are all here to help and all he has to do is ask. Apparently he is sick of repeating the 9th grade (3rd year in a row). I told him I would do what I could to help him. Sad, right?

Example 3:

At the intersection of Hwy 281 and Bitters Road I was stopped at the light. I glanced at the light post and noticed a bundled up old man. A coldfront was blowing in and he was wrapped up tightly in the jacket he had...hood sheltering his face. Everytime a car would drive by to turn right he would lower his head and look away. As soon as they passed he would look back up. This guy looked like he had just been introduced to the street...a homeless guy, for the first time. My heart ached for him. I felt tears surfacing and streaming. I wish I could have given him something...I didn't have an extra bottled water, change; so I just smiled. If you talk to my husband about my feeling towards the homeless he'll tell you. I have a special place in my heart just for them...I know Heavenly Father blessed me with a great sense of compassion when it comes to seeing others in uncomfortable, even painful situations. I just imagine what if that old man was my Dad. What if Jesus Christ was sitting on the street...would I just pass by with nothing to offer?

I hope this Christmas we will share our hearts with someone who is in need. Just lend an ear, conjure up a smile, or even just share a kind hello. I know Christ would offer everything he has to each person He encounters...He already has.