Inconvenient Compassion
God is compassionate. Those who are becoming more like God will increasingly be compassionate toward others. This attitude can even be seen in how they treat animals (Proverbs 12:10, NJB).
We had a cat named Cuddles. He sat at the screen door and called for a kitten, who my daughter, Sara, named Gracie. Gracie was not well. Despite being a ball of fur, you could still tell that she was emaciated. Gradually, Sara and my wife, Valari, were able to get Gracie to be willing to let them touch her and feed her. Yet, she was so weak she could hardly eat anything. Both Valari and Sara felt such compassion for Gracie that they took her to a veterinarian – even though we did not have any money to pay for Gracie’s care. The vet, in turn, had compassion on us and gave Gracie free medicine and treatment. He said Gracie weighed about 5 ounces and was at death’s door.
Over the next week, Sara and Valari tenderly fed Gracie by hand, gave her medicine, and wrapped her up and held her to keep her from shivering. When they went back to the vet about a week later, he was amazed that Gracie had gained 3 pounds. Valari and Sara had saved Gracie’s life and experienced such joy in her recovery.
As we were renting and our landlord would not allow us to have another cat, Valari and Sara talked to some friends, a very loving family, who said they would take Gracie. Though it was difficult Sara and Valari to let Gracie go, they knew it was best for her. The family renamed her and she grew to be a healthy, contented cat.
Are we willing to show mercy to others? It may take time, effort, and having to bond only to let go. Being compassionate can be costly. Nevertheless, it can also make a difference for others. Furthermore, it reveals some of who we are. If we would be more like our Heavenly Father, we must love enough to show compassion to all.
Loving trust is more important than mere head knowledge.