MONDAY 27.10.14 - I am thankful for... Compassion
Tonight at bible study we were talking about what it means to have compassion. The definition we collectively came up with was that compassion is the emotional response to the suffering of people that motives a desire to help. With the media portraying so much violence and devastation in the world, it's hard to imagine that such a thing can exist. But thankfully it does. You see it all the time, both locally and internationally, when a disaster of some sort effects a person or community of people, and the world jumps at the chance to help, providing financial support and aid. It's a beautiful and powerful thing to witness. My own personal experience with this would be the 2010 - 2011 Queensland floods. Approximately 70% of the state went underwater that year, with many people losing their homes, businesses, livestock, crops and properties and 38 people losing their lives. It was quite surreal, as an inland tsunami swept through Toowoomba and Grantham and we watched as the wave of water made its way and engulf parts of Brisbane. All anyone could do was watch and wait. After the water subsided and the full extent of the damage could be seen, the government asked for volunteers to help with the clean up. What they didn't expect was the volume of people with the hearts to help. Rubber gloves, gumboots and various tools sold out of stores almost immediately. My best friend Danielle and I kitted ourselves up to go and help but when we got to the volunteer centre we were turned away because they had "too many volunteers for what they could handle". What an amazing problem to have. The news showed the enormous sea of people out there, sweeping out homes of strangers, getting rid of damaged furniture, retrieving bits and people's lives and without a major fuss. People just did it because that's what needed to be done!
Compassion is also the name of the organisation that I sponsor a child through (as pictured above). Child sponsorship enables children in poverty stricken areas to receive the basic necessities of life as well as medical treatment and education. I have been completely blessed watching my child grow through this program, but I'll save that story for another day of thankfulness. Overall I am overwhelmed by just how much people do actually care for others in the world. They say the best way to beat the hate and devastation is through love. And what better way than to show love than through compassion.
No comments:
Post a Comment