... they were harassed and helpless...

where do you find yourself today?
do you have a place to stay, a place you can call your own?
do you have a circle of people that you know beyond a shadow of doubt love you?
do you have food and know that you will be able to eat every day ?
do you have the clothes you need, and maybe even really like?

most of us do.. and yet.. there are so many that don't...
moving in and out of shelters, losing all your belongings through unstable circumstances,
no one, or maybe only one or two people that seem to be on your side.. and you are not sure if you can trust them .. poor choices .. circumstances beyond your control.. things done to you early on in life...
a cycle it seems that cannot be broken...

how often do we, the "lucky" ones think of those that for some reason ended up "on the other side of the tracks" let alone step out of our comfort zone to help in a tangible, relevant way?

a compassionate heart..
we all like to think we have one..

this is what we find out about God, when we seek Him:


But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)


The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
 The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me. (Psalm 116:5-6)


Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

And here is what Jesus did:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

Paul is challenging the Ephesians:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you
(Ephesians 4:31-32)

Disciples of Christ, proclaiming Him and worshipping Him, we are called to serve Him and to walk in His footsteps, made in the image of God we are called to represent Him well in this world..

let's show them who our God really is, a God compassionate and slow to anger.. a God who had such compassion on His people He even sent His only son to rescue them from certain destruction and eternal suffering...
extending His love and compassion is one of the biggest gift we can give to the less fortunate..
let's not forget, you are finding yourself where you are today because of His Grace and Mercy alone..
Praise be to Him now and forever more...