A few weeks ago, I saw a book called Miracle on Voodoo Mountain posted on an Instagram page. We were on the way out of town for vacation, so we tracked down a Lifeway and stopped so I could get it to read while traveling. This book is about Haiti, and a girl who sells everything and moves there to minister.
Haiti, as you know, is dear to my heart, so of course I wanted to read it.
As I started the first page, I told Jason, "I can already tell, this is gonna make me cry."
He replied (somewhat sarcastically), "That's your nature; you just buy stuff to make you cry."
Well, for starters, I got a little miffed so I clammed up as I do when I get "miffed" and just kept reading my book. I will say, he is right. I love a good cry. I love sappy movies and the Hallmark channel and books that pull at my heartstrings. I'm a glutton for punishment when it comes to that stuff!
But I jotted down what he said because it spoke to me.
Yes, I was feeding my emotions a little because I was very sad that I wasn't getting to go on the Haiti trip this year, so the book was my way of still getting to experience a part of a place that means so much to me.
But today, I was reminded of Jason's statement. Here's how:
I just looked at it- "that" video.
We all know Planned Parenthood has been in the news. Last night, I saw yet another post, the one about the fourth video that has come out. I refused to watch it.
Then, this morning, I saw that it had been shared by others.
So reluctantly, I clicked.
I watched.
And I wept.
So many things came to my mind. First, Pruitt- because the doctors suggested we terminate my pregnancy with him.
Then just the horror of seeing what I was seeing.
I just prayed "God have mercy."
And then I was reminded of what Jason had said when I bought the book. "That's your nature," to do or watch or read something that makes me cry.
And here's where God spoke:
Shouldn't that be your nature?
I looked up the word compassion and it's mentioned 82 times in the Bible. Most of those times, it's speaking of the nature of God. He is compassion. Seven times in the Gospels, it speaks of Jesus being filled or moved with compassion.....
And aren't we supposed to be like Him?
Ephesians 4:32- "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
The definition to compassion is not just love. It says it's a "feeling of deep...sorrow...accompanied by a desire to alleviate the suffering."
We are not compassionate on our own. It has to be a work of Christ in us. But when we stick our heads in the sand, claiming "I just can't do that or watch that, or I just don't want to know," then we can't truly know compassion for something or someone.
And once we know, we are responsible to do something.
Reading that book took me back to Haiti, when I couldn't go. It keeps that precious place and those precious people on my heart.
Having watched the Planned Parenthood video puts those precious babies on my heart. I can't "unsee" that.
I found this verse, in which God is speaking to Jerusalem, but this one stood out to me, in light of the video.
I don't want to be that person who doesn't see people with compassion, with the eyes of Christ.
Oh, God give me compassion for others!
As I was writing, this song came on:
Save My Life- Sidewalk Prophets
We've met half a dozen times
I know your name I know you don't know mine
But I won't hold that against you
You come here every Friday night
I take your order and try to be polite
And hide what I've been going through
If you looked me right in the eye
Would see the pain deep inside
Would you take the time to
Tell me what I need to hear
Tell me that I'm not forgotten
Show me there's a God
Who can be more than all I've ever wanted
‘Cause right now I need a little hope
I need to know that I'm not alone
Maybe God is calling you tonight
To tell me something
That might save my life
A popular youtube video has gone around about a guy trying to sell a car. Over and over you hear him saying, "Would you just look at it!" This has become a MUCH overused quote at our house. It was funny for a while- ok, well maybe it still is.
I'm not saying you need to watch the video or read a certain book. Do what God leads you to do.
But, maybe the next time He does prick my heart and yours to see deeper, we will "just look at it" and be moved with compassion.
Zechariah 7:9- “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.
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