Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Thankful Thursday--Compassion

I am very tired tonight--H&H haven't slept through the night all week, and being up for an hour or two in the night is just something I'm not up to right now. So I figured I'd go with Iris's theme for Thankful Thursday this week--compassion. Then I thought, no, I should make myself do the next chapter of Colossians...and lo and behold, compassion showed up there too!! Funny how God works that out... :)

Colossians 3:11-15

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Thanks that we live in a society that we don't even fully know what it means to be Greek or Jew, Scythian, slave or free.

Praise be to God that he doesn't discriminate based upon nationality, outward appearance, position in society. Thanks for my experiences in graduate school, living and working with a diverse group of people (ok, so we were all smart) so that I could learn how much skin color doesn't matter. Thanks for the research exchange to Korea, so I could learn what it means to be a stranger in a strange land.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Thanks for choosing us, God! Thanks for the compassion that Jesus modelled--he didn't just see need, but he had compassion, sending out his disciples to shepherd them, heal them, and fed them. Thanks for organizations such as Compassion International that raise our awareness of needs around the world and give us an opportunity to make a difference.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Thanks that you forgive us! The previous verse is so convicting--how many times have I not had compassion, been kind, shown humility, used gentle words, and been patient?? Too many to tell. Thank you for friendships that survive the years and the instances of forgiveness.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Thanks for Patrick and the rest of our extended family. Thanks that you loved us to send your Son, even when we didn't deserve it. Thanks for marriage, and the opportunity to show and receive that same kind of love, sometimes on a daily basis.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

Thanks for peace amid the storm, the kind of peace that can only come from you. Thanks that our church distinguishes between the fundamentals of the faith and the things that Christians can disagree about, and promotes unity and peace in the body.

And be thankful.

Thanks for all the ways you've blessed us this week. Thanks for protection from the storm, a warm house, and provision beyond our needs. Thanks for working things out exactly as Patrick envisioned them for his job. Thanks for computers, and that I don't have to do our taxes by hand (I wish I could be thankful that they were done, but maybe next week!)

14 comments:

Speaking from the Heart said...

Thank you for visiting. I love what you wrote about compassion. As a homeschool mom, I need to be more compassion towards my kids when they don't understand a concept.

Denise said...

Such a lovely thankful post.

twinklemom said...

I hope you were able to get some rest...Wonderful post about compassion!

Kim said...

Great post Ann. I feel like I haven't talked with you in forever...it's nice to at least keep up a little in the blogging world though. Hope H and H sleep through the night again soon.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your TT hope your day is great and take care.

poor man's nicole richie said...

that was really something. compassion for everyone .
thanks for inspiring me!

Morning Sniffles

Susan said...

Oh what an awesome post!

Sorry you have not been getting your rest.

Hopefully TONIGHT!

Blessings...

Heather said...

Isn't it great when God does that - takes a theme and keeps on running it through your week? It was the same for me too - I already posted once this week on compassion. Guess God's not done talking to me about it, huh?

Love Bears All Things said...

A heartfelt TT list. So much to be thankful for always that we live where we do. I was thinking back to the primitive conditions of my grandparents just a few generations ago and realized in some parts of the world people still live that way. The Lord's compassion is for all people. We can learn so much from each other.
Blessings, Mama Bear

bp said...

I enjoyed your thankful Thursday post. I'm glad I stopped by! That verse is convicting...Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Have a good day.

Cheryl said...

Great TT post. We all need compassion as we work our way through this lifetime. Thanks - God Bless!

Unknown said...

Wonderful post, Ann! I'm a little short on sleep too. I hope you get some rest soon.

Have a blessed day!

eph2810 said...

You made me smile at your last statement "...wish they were done". Me too, Ann.

Yes, God really has been patient with me compassion. How wonderful to have a Model that showed us how to have compassion.

Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.

Blessings to you and yours...

Unknown said...

Absolutely powerful post! What do you write when you are NOT tired? WOW!!!!