this just really struck me today

NIV365-DAY:

Isaiah 30:18 NASBS

[18] Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.

God’s Compassion

God invaded my breakfast with a holy moment today. I was helping my daughter study for her school spelling bee. I called out words from her flashcards, and she spelled them between bites of cereal.

Almost halfway through the list, I pronounced the next word: compassion.

She spelled it: c-o-m-p-a-s-h-i-o-n.

“No, honey,” I corrected her, “it’s passion, as in ‘a strong feeling.’ ”

“Got it,” she said, scooping another spoonful of Captain Crunch. “What’s compassion mean?”

“Well . . .” How do I explain it to a third grader?

“Compassion is when you see someone who’s hurting, and you want to help. For instance, when you’re sick and I take you to the doctor, I have compassion on you. I love you so much that my heart hurts when you hurt, so I help you.”

“Oh!” she said brightly. “Like how God had compassion on us after Dad left!”

She carried her bowl to the sink while I sat speechless. She was right, of course.

A year earlier my husband had moved out, leaving me with three young kids and no idea how we would survive. We were overwhelmed with shock, grief and insecurity.

Immediately God showed us compassion. He helped us not only with our needs, such as groceries and bills, but through God-winks as well: Christmas gifts for the kids. Meals with friends. Laughter and hugs and fun. Over and over the kids and I were amazed by and grateful for God’s loving compassion.

Our heavenly Father still extends us compassion daily. Sometimes I can be too focused on my circumstances to see God’s mercy. But when I look carefully, I’m stunned by the ways God graciously covers us with his compassion.

Jennifer Stair

Taken from Fulfilled

MY THOUGHTS

as i read the last paragraph, my youngest daughter popped into my mind. "Sometimes I can be too focused on my circumstances to see God’s mercy." this one statement is what did it.

i remember when my hubby and i were struggling with 2 small children. hubby did everything he knew how to provide for us. we stayed together and trusted God to provide. and God did. He provided everything we needed. was it easy? NO! but we made it, together as a family.

the last time i talked with my daughter, i got the sense she was lost, like she was sinking under the weight of her circumstances and could not see anything else.

been there, do not want to go back there.

trying to get her to see above her circumstances has not been easy. encouraging as i can be, even i am a bit discouraged that she does not seem to want to look above them. i can definitely relate to that. but i know that if she were to really look at those same circumstances, she would definitely see God's hand in them. and each time something comes up, she tells God about it and thanks Him for being with her and her family.

it's hard for me to tell others stuff they need to hear and be reminded of. in fact, i hurt that my child is going thru what they r going thru. i know God will provide and give them what they need so desparately. 

to learn to be honest with where u r and the struggles u have is not popular. my youngest daughter is learning that it is easier to be exactly who u r and not have to live a lie. i am so very proud of her!

my son-in-law is young in the faith but is growing in God. he is learning to lean on Him and trust Him, which is not an easy thing to do when u r used to making it happen. he is doing his best to hold his family together and provide for them. he works hard but also struggles with the circumstances the r in. i do not understand what a man goes thru in times like that even tho i walked thru it with my hubby. i see the outside. and God is doing a good thing in my son-in-law.

God is good! all the time!

all the time, God is good!

when we take the time to see the blessings in our circumstances and thank Him for each one, our faith is built up and we begin to see that God is taking care of everything. the key for us is to keep our eyes on God and not on our circumstances as we live it. reminding God, telling Him how u feel, and being real is not wrong. how u live after speaking with God is what matters. believing in your faith is what moves u forward.

1 Timothy 1:19 NASBS

[19] keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.