Popsicles and pinky toes.

What does true compassion look like?

I believe it's just responding to the need in front of you. It's love in action. Love can be so many wonderful things... it's amazing how we limit that word.

Living a life of effective compassion doesn't have to be dramatic to be radical. A deep rooted empathy and a sense of personal responsibility enables profound change in someone's circumstances every day. I am thrilled to watch my adult children live this out and my little children taking hold of their significant roles in God's action plan of love in this world.

Basic thoughtfulness shines like a beacon of hope in the environment of discouragement that surround us. People take notice of consideration that was once expected: Holding a door for the person behind you, offering to lift heavy groceries for an elderly stranger, paying for someone else's lunch with your own lunch money when you see a hard working guy without enough on his debit card to pay for his subway.

We've had some awesome opportunities to witness huge mountains crumble before the power of God's love for the lonely and suffering. We've also seen him move mountains a pebble at a time.
As I often remind myself, "He's God. He has all day." The pebble stuff isn't less signifigant. It actually has a wider impact so it's equally critical.

My beautiful five year old exemplified this for me today and inspired me to encourage you.

I'd avoided the cat but major-ly stubbed my toe on a table leg. Bridger went running from the room and returned with a familiar white wrapper housing a popsicle. "Here Mamma. You can use it for a cold-ie and when your toe feels better you can eat it!" (the popsicle of course). lol

My husband donated his blood for me when I needed a transfusion last year. My Chari took me to my first lunch at Moe's when I was miserable with the wait for Gates. My friend Trish lugged her gorgeous virtual triplets, three and under, all the way to the airport to welcome Gates home.
My little friend Marie from Haiti who has graced my life with her bravery rushed over to hug us and sit on our picnic blanket with us even though she hadn't seen us in months. It's the love that every good gift is held together with. It's the motar for the bricks of every great work... and yet, it's so EASY! I know it's not always easy, but it can be and a life lived in effective compassion is filled with the micro moves and awesome acts blended together.

We've all go something to offer. If you look around and you want to do something... do anything.
You'll feel better.