20070112

Compassion

To continue my 'series' on the samurai attributes I strive to live in...
Jin - Compassion: Through intense training the samurai becomes quick and strong. He is not as other men. He develops a power that must be used for the good of all. He has compassion. He helps his fellow man at every opportunity. If an opportunity does not arise, he goes out of his way to find one.
This is another area that I wish did better. Even Jesus says, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [6] you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:40, esv) and vice versa. Lately God has been helping me share my extra "cloaks". On a few instances when my National Guardf unit has left over food I am able to pack it up and bring it to the local mission. I have been blessed in that I am able to provide for a family of five with my single income. And over the years we have accumulated extra 'things'. I have been working with my beloved to look for opportunities to give them to those without. But I do not stop and give money or food to every beggar I see on the street. Side note: I have written several short stories over the past few months for an upcoming gaming article. I've posted them on my short story blog. Verse for today: Matthew 25:31-36, ESV “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

1 comment:

Susan said...

Yesterday a man approached me in the store parking lot and asked me for food or money. He had ace bandages on both legs, a leg brace on one, and crutches. He was definitely dis-sheveled.

Normally, I would not offer them anything. I was alone. But I handed him a $5 and told him, "Listen to me, this is not MY money I am giving you. It's the Lords." He said "I know Him. I'm trying to live better. I got hit by a car because I'd been drinking last month." I started to doubt my choice in giving...but I said, "Well, I'm telling you to stay straight with the Lord's money. You need to use it for food and not for anything else. I won't know if you use it for alcohol, but Jesus will." He thanked me and was gone.

I pondered it for a long time. I couldn't get the thought of entertaining angels unaware out of my mind. I prayed for him last night. I prayed that he used that money for good.

It's a tough decision to help...but a blessing, isn't it???