As I was driving to the airport that morning, thinking about what the next 10 days would be like, I was asking God to show Himself to me and teach me how to be more like Him. I began to consider what that actually meant and in what ways I really wanted to be changed...It was brought to my attention that I didn't show compassion to a certain person in my life, someone that I really cared for, I showed tough love but hardly any compassion. The desire from God was in my heart immediately after realizing this truth to be more compassionate towards her.
I arrived at the airport, joined the rest of the team, and started getting all the bags together as we rushed from one line to the next until finally we rested on the plane. The thoughts and prayers said in the car that morning were replaced by the present and more immediate prayers and excitement.
Throughout our days at God Cares Primary School I became close with many children, mostly the older ones. We talked about lots of things, from the basic, "What's your best color?" or "What's your favorite worship song?" to more in depth questions like, "What's it like to live where you do?" or "What do you think of Uganda?" Our time was filled with mostly laughs and giggles...mostly them laughing at me haha, but I didn't mind. Here's the part that blew my mind and totally humbled my spirit. When they asked about my Dad, I replied nonchalantly that I didn't know my Dad. The looks on their faces would instantly reflect sadness. In a low voice with their eyes down they apologized. The mood always turned somewhat serious after this, I would have never expected such a reaction from kids that age, or really from hardly anyone. Now that I'm back at home and have a chance to reflect on this, I am amazed by their COMPASSION. I felt like..."wait...you're apologizing to me? For not having a Dad??" "But....but you have it so much less than me..." Truly they have the spirit of God dwelling in them, there's no other way such compassion could be shown. Thank you God for revealing yourself to me this way.
“This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.
Zechariah 7:8-10
Everyone needs compassion...
