Suffering...

I know... I know... I promised to blog MORE frequently and its almost been a month since my last post... But alas, here it is... 

Today has been one of those days. Sometimes the heaviness of the world around seems impossible to overlook. Today I sat with a kid at JDC who flat out told me that he was "beyond help". There are times like these where I literally want to sit at their feet and weep for them... but instead I try to engage in delicate conversation... Days like these I keep my nose to the grindstone and my eyes to the stars...  Of course, this is my "job"... but I will never be a 9 to 5er who leaves her briefcase in the car. 

Compassion in its etymology means "to suffer". (Passion) together with (com)... to get along side and feel what someone else does, to be driven by compassion. To clothe the naked and feed the hungry is to get down in the dirt and sit next to them, becoming aware of their reality, sharing in the devastation of their situation- no matter how ugly or cruel, and being willing to lend a hand...

I suppose that when we truly come to a realization of our own humanity this becomes a bit easier... I mean, isn't that the reaction of Christ? Is He not the one who comes into my living room late at night when my tears are the only thing that keep me company? When my face is buried in a pillow as a means to hush my screams? We are the walking wounded, walking amongst more wounded souls... But He is our deliverer, a God who does not second guess redemption nor forgiveness. He chose to come and become wounded Himself... to empathize with compassion... to get down and dirty, niddy and griddy, bruised and beaten with a sinners like you and I. 

Compassion... may we all suffer with someone tomorrow.