Compassion

     I have a "compassionate heart." I don't like to see anyone hurt. I would rather take the pain than see someone in that pain.
     I have a "giving heart." I live to serve. Nothing (on this earth anyway) satisfies me more than to see everyone around me well cared for, protected, content, and enjoying life.
     But we live on a planet that is full of evil, darkness, and cruelty.
     Which is against what I am.
     Now, I have several reactions -
     1: I could spend my days striving to protect - to develop skills of offensive tactics that would cause harm to those who would harm others. That is not who I am. Yes, I say it is good to be able to defend yourself and others, wonderful even. But I even have difficulty hurting people who would kill me. Why? Because I even care about my enemies.
     2: I could spend my days training myself not to care so much. Because what is the point? I'm just going to watch everyone suffer because I trusted my enemy? No. I said nothing of that. I still don't trust them. I don't trust easily. Rather, I "turn the other cheek." I give, I help, I serve. But I have been damaged, attacked, betrayed. The easy road would be to simply turn it off and become cruel myself. That is not who I am. It cuts me to pieces even when I accidentally say or do something that hurts someone. I tried shutting out my conscience. It made me spiritually, and therefore physically, sick. It was not the best of times.
     3: I could spend my days holding my hand out to everyone - in a sign of peace, healing, and servitude. Compassion. Regardless of the obstacles. Regardless of the evils in this world. The love of God. I give, because I have. It seems not much, but it is everything. Because God, the Infinite, the Omnipresent, the Lover of Souls, gave His life for all. I have received, so I give. That is who I am.

Shed a Tear

When the world pulls you down, shed a tear.
When trials come, shed a tear.
Who is hurting, let them cry.
Who is fighting so very hard to survive, let them cry.
When the pain returns after you thought it forever gone, shed a tear.
When you understand someone's loss, shed a tear.
Who is forced to let go, let them cry.
Who has had to stand against wrongs, let them cry.
It is not weakness
To shed a tear.
It is not a terrible thing
To cry.
Tears -
coming from the truly suffering,
from wounds of the flesh and spirit,
from loss,
or even for others,
are prayers.
Tears -
every last raindrop on your cheeks,
against your stinging eyelids,
are counted.
God sees them.
Feels them.
Knows them.
And He takes them in His hands,
and when you ask for strength,
He takes your tears,
and returns them to you.
As diamonds for your armor.
Armor that He gave you.
Spiritual bling.
Yep. Let them fall.
Let it go.
A wimp like me,
facing pain,
fear,
anger,
loss...
Well, I cry.
And it's O.K.
Because once the tears have stopped falling,
I can "start over."
Begin again.
Learn the lesson.
Strengthen my resolve.
Grow my faith in God.
He is always there.
Counting tears.
Let them fall.
It's O.K.
Let them glisten, let them shine.
Then get back up.
To shed a tear is not a weakness.
It is not a terrible thing to cry.
Just so long as you don't stay that way.
Let your tears fall so you can get back up.
Get down on your knees.
Let them fall.
Shed a tear.
So you can stand again.
Who is hurting, let them cry.
Who is suffering, let them cry.
When you feel the need to weep, let it out.
When you can't take the pressure, release it in tears.
Who is broken, let them cry.
Who is betrayed, let them cry.
When all seems lost, shed a tear.
When it feels like you have nothing left, shed a tear.
Then get back up.
And who is hurting for the lost,
Who is moved by God to cry for the deceived,
misguided,
hurting,
dying,
wandering...
Shed a tear.
And pray.
This is what we are called to do.
Every single diamond is not forgotten before God.
Never forget.
Use it.
It is not weakness to cry.
It is a reminder that we need the Lord.
You forget.
He too, time and again,
for you, for me,
has shed a tear.





John 11:35 "Jesus wept."
Luke 19:41 "...He saw the city and wept over it..."

Blood and Water (a poem)

Life.
Breathing. Pulsing.

The Cross.
A funny thing.
Thousands of them, long ago.
Spread out across countries.
A symbol of death.
A symbol of power.
The Roman Empire.
For all the world to see.
The worst way to die.
Slowly.
In agony.
Suffocating.
Bleeding.
Outside, in the elements.
Yes, a symbol of death.
Nowadays it's a symbol of hope.
See? A funny thing.

Life.
Flowing. Beating.

Blood. Water.
Water is part of blood.
Without water, blood is dust.
Some don't like blood.
Why not? Without it your body dies.
Everyone needs it.
And water.
Without it your body dies.
When you drink water
Do you imagine nourishing your blood?
Do you imagine your heart filling,
Pumping blood through your body?

Life.
Echoing. Feeling.

Long ago,
a man died.
On a cross.
While dying,
While suffering,
Water built up inside him.
Around his heart.
Pericardial effusion
A scientist would say.
And after he died,
A Roman soldier took a spear,
And stabbed his heart.
Blood and water came out.

He said he would die.
He said he was the Water of Life.
He said he would bleed.
For us.
Because we are dying.
We have been from the very start.

Life.
He breathed again.
A new body.
Walked this world once more.

He lost water.
He lost blood.
But he never needed it.
Because He is Life.
Jesus.