This previous Sunday was my second run as a team leader for Children's Church. And while I believe that as a team, God is using us to teach the children of our church some things about Him and His Word, I also believe that He is using the children to teach us... or, at least teach me!
This week, we talked about following God's way. One specific Object Lesson was about following His way of compassion. I explained to the kids that compassion is feeling for someone else. You see someone else in pain or in need, and you feel for them. However, compassion doesn't stop there. Compassion is not JUST a feeling; it is an action. You see a need, and you do everything within your power to make it better or to make it right. Compassion doesn't merely notice the feelings of others, but it responds to those feelings in the appropriate way.
Seems simple enough, right?
Well, the lesson kind of hit home for me Sunday because of the actions of one of the precios boys that I am blessed to get to watch grow up. He was sitting on the front row with the others boys his age. After all young gentlemen had filed in, I noticed a new child sitting by himself on the back row. Already nervous about facing the strange experience of Children's Church, the boy was doubly nervous now. The only person he knew was one of the girls who was seated across the room and three rows ahead of him.
I went over to my friends' son and told him, "See that boy on the back row. Well, he's new, and he has not made any friends yet. Would you mind helping him feel included today?" Without hesitation or a second thought, he got up, walked to the back row, and sat down. After introducing himself, he asked the boy's name and stayed by his side the entire time. He even played on his team in a game, and when the competition was over and the two headed back to their seats, he patted him on the back and said, "You did really good."
And all of this took place BEFORE the Object Lesson on Compassion was taught. God works in mysterious ways, right?
It was simple to that child. A need was brought to his attention. He could do something about it. So, he did. End of story. No questions asked. No arguing. No, "Aw, why me?? This is really not a convenient time!" He felt for someone, and he did what was in his power to make it right.
How often do I do this? Do I see the needs around me as opportunities to show the love of Christ, or, do I care about others only to the extent that it does not mess with my plans or my neat little world? Am I filled with a love that does not allow me to stand still when things around me are wrong? Or, is compassion merely a feeling that does not extend to action? If so... it's basically worthless.
We can all learn alot from the children in our lives.
