Compassion

May 27, 2010
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I love ah-ha moments.  Wish they came more often.  In writing “Part Four: Show Time!” (about F’s delivery) I reminded myself of a sweet little moment that happened a few weeks before Freedom was born.  Then I wrote a few lines and never came back to it.  Well, here it is, finally fleshed out into the post it deserves.

Once upon a Sunday…

An adorable 12-year-old (who would probably die if he knew someone called him adorable) was passing the Sacrament for the first time that day, and I happened to be sitting in his line of duty.

I have long since forgotten exactly what happened (and come to think of it, I’ve forgotten which new, adorable Deacon it was!) but that new adorable Deacon made some silly mistake, some noticeable breach of “protocol,” in passing the Sacrament to me.

My heart went out to him in complete and immediate forgiveness.  I instantly excused his mistake, thinking, “It’s okay.  He’s never done this before.”

As my heart turned back to its repentant self-reflection, I realized that perhaps the Savior looks on us that way sometimes.

“It’s okay.  You’ve never done this before.”

Baby F ~ 09-2009 photo by Zannie

Never tried to get through sacrament mtg (or life) with three little kids while pregnant before.
Never had this or that calling before.
Never tried to x while also dealing with y.

What are you working on that you’ve never done before?  Never parented a two year old?  A teenager?  Never budgeted?  I’ll bet every one of us is tackling something new.  Or maybe an old problem in a new way.

“Savior, may I learn to love thee
Walk the path that thou hast shown?
Pause to help and lift another,
Finding strength beyond my own…”

When we’re on the Lord’s errand, we will indeed find strength beyond our own.

“I would be my brother’s keeper,
I would learn the healer’s art.
To the wounded and the weary
I would show a gentle heart…”

Do we show ourselves a gentle heart?

photo by Zannie

Are we harsh and unforgiving… with ourselves?  Whatever we struggle with, whether it’s or new or intimidating or scary or just plain hard, I am confident that the Lord is reaching out to us, to encourage and understand us, even when we feel no one can.  We can be kind to ourselves and understand that we’ve “never done this before”  and it’s okay.

It also struck me how important it is to forgive each other freely and completely.  We should reach out with the same understanding and compassion we hope to receive from the Lord.  There’s no place in Zion – and certainly not in our families – for fault-finding. nit-picking, or bitterness.

“Who am I to judge another
When I walk imperfectly?
In the quiet heart is hidden
Sorrow that the eye can’t see…”

photo by Zannie

There’s always more going on than meets the eye.

“Savior, may I love my brother [or daughter, or spouse, or...]
As I know thou lovest me,
Find in thee my strength, my beacon,
For thy servant I would be.
Savior, may I love my brother — Lord, I would follow thee.”

Hymn #220

photo by Zannie

Let’s all cut ourselves a little slack as we move ourselves (and help each other) onward and upward.

9 Responses to “ Compassion ”

  1. The Lazy Organizer on May 27, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    Beautiful post. This whole life thing is new to me because I’ve only been doing it for 38 years. I just can’t wait to have five children. I’ve never done that before!!

  2. Deanna Sutter on May 28, 2010 at 6:23 am

    So true. We do need more forgiveness. Thanks for this timely and all important reminder.

  3. Mr. Smith on May 28, 2010 at 8:36 am

    Lovely post, dear – thanks!

  4. Francesca on May 28, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    Can I repost some of this on my Mormon Light blog? Great realization!

  5. Misty on May 28, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    Thank you. That was moving and helped me today.

  6. Wendy on June 24, 2010 at 10:07 am

    Insightful. Thanks.

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