Compassion asks us to go where it hurts

Advent Day #2: 11/30/15 and Today's Advent quote from Pastor Michael was from Henri Nouwen:
"Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in the brokenness, fear, confusion and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human. — Henri J.M. Nouwen"

It was a lot easier for me to be compassionate in my old job, when I was an academic advisor and on the University's Crisis Team.  But, I am still really good friends with my colleagues on the crisis team and, on occasion, there are some cases with which I am able to assist.  And although I was only assisting a colleague today, I know SHE was with the most vulnerable today in their times of need. And, I hope, by providing some assistance in getting data and trying to identify others who may need assistance, that I was able to relieve some of her stress as she relieved the stress of others.  I love helping others and showing compassion.  But, Michael's last reminder also rings true, suggesting that we can also
"show YOURSELF compassion, remembering Simon Weil pointed out that compassion directed to oneself is true humility!"

Psalm 1 was also on the reading list for today's Living Advent.  I like how the psalmist advises us not to follow the advice of the wicked.  Again, relating to Be Good and Have Fun, one of our family rules.  So maybe I have a chance of being happy!

When God is going to do something wonderful, He or She always starts with a hardship

11/29/15 - Advent Day 1 - and, this year, Pastor Michael is prompting us with quotes.  And today's quote is from Anne Lamott:
           "When God is going to do something wonderful, He or She always starts with a hardship;
              when God is going to do something amazing, She or He always starts with an impossibility."

Well, for me, this brought up one of my favorite song quotes, from Garth Brooks:
           "Some of God's Greatest Gifts, are Unanswered Prayers"

And it's true.  I remember how upset I was in 1991 when my College girlfriend, to whom I planned to propose, wrote me a letter from her home (she was home for the Summer) to tell me she was getting engaged to her H.S. Boyfriend.  I remember calling my mom, and some friends, at 1 o'clock in the morning and crying and getting consolation.  And I was pretty depressed after that, spending the summer working 2-3 jobs to keep my mind off of my sorrows.

But, I often think, that melancholy time was a blessing to me.  For, three years later, I met Sarah Jayne Walters and the life and family I have and love right now is all possible because I was unattached and (thankfully) Sarah thought I was funny and cute.

I guess my current "hardship" in life is my inability to find time to complete my dissertation.  But I do have a plan and hope for progress in the next two months.  So we will see where my path goes after that.  I feel sort of guilty putting that as a hardship with what I see and know is going on the world today.  But, I guess, I should thank God for those blessings as well.  As my Father-in-Law said in his Thanksgiving blessing, it is easy to ask God for help when we are down and out, but it is also necessary for us to Thank God when things are good.

Michael also asked us to read and reflect on Psalm 24, which asks the question, "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?"   The answer is in the next verse:
          "Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
            who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
            and do not swear deceitfully."
and this is how I try to live, honestly as possible, even when honesty is not always beneficial to me. Help People, not Hurt People ; Be Good, Have Fun ; Always Tell the Truth - lessons I have tried to teach my children and lessons I continue to remind myself of all the time.

Recognizing unanswered prayers, having hope when things are hard, appreciating what we have, living with a clean and pure heart - Good lessons for Advent and, frankly, for the whole year-long!