God's Compassion

Is God truly out there paying attention to what we need, and caring about us? Let's take a look at the many times the Bible speaks of compassion. Caring is very important to Him. Not only is He compassionate, but He wants us to be compassionate too. When the Bible repeats one concept over and over again, it is for us to pay attention. That is an important subject.

Little Elysia had been born with CMV Inclusion, like my Joshua. But in her case, the virus stayed with her, so the damage continued to progress all her life. Her very poor family loved her, but couldn't find anyone to care for her, as she was so fragile she could die at any time, with her uncontrolled seizures. (This was back before respite care.) Elysia had no medical coverage, so she did not even have a wheelchair. When I found that her family was leaving her home alone, when they needed to take their other children somewhere, I opened my arms to her.

* The LORD is gracious and compassionate ... and rich in love. Psalm 145:8

Elysia was fed by tube, but had much trouble digesting, so she was very thin. I had a red crib just for her in my nursery, next to my room, always made up with soft quilts. We always welcomed little Elysia with open arms, for days or weeks, whenever and whatever the family needed. I took care of her for several years. No pay was involved. Elysia was just my kind of little girl, and I loved her very much. Taking care of her was such fun. I would bathe her, dress her up, and always, try to get her to smile. I always thought that Elysia could have been an angel unaware.

* ... with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the LORD your Redeemer. Isaiah 54:8

Elysia was blind, deaf, and not able to move at all, except to blink her partly-opened eyes. She was very profoundly retarded; she did not cry or make a sound. and was almost completely non-responsive. I remember her sometimes opening her eyes a bit when I would stroke her light blonde curls. She was the lowest functioning child I ever had the pleasure of knowing. But this did not make her any less valuable to God. I had two goals, every time she came. I always tried to get her to smile, and I always tried to get a little weight on her, feeding her with my drip pump. We were all blessed, taking care of little Elysia. My children tried to get her to smile too, and we were all aware we were doing what Jesus wanted us to do.

* The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11

I always got a bit of weight on her. But only on rare occasions did I get a smile. But that little crooked half-smile, was such a thrill to me, that I can still see it in my mind's eye. At once time I offered to keep her on an ongoing basis, but her family truly loved her, and did not want to let her go. They were always happy to bring her over, and go out in peace, though, knowing she was safe.

* Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

Elysia's digestive system stopped working when she was eight years old. She was in the hospital for a month, while they tried a tube that bypassed her stomach, going straight to her intestines, and everything. But it was Elysia's time, and she died. I attended her funeral. A year later, her parents had a healthy baby girl, and honored me by naming her after me!

* Be kind and compassionate to one another. Ephesians 4:32

We are only human, yet any one of us would rescue a baby bird. Why is that?

Because we feel compassion.

God, who is vastly greater than we, knows when even a tiny sparrow falls. He knows our every need. He takes care of so many of our needs, before we're even aware that we have them. Why?

Because of His great mercy, love, and compassion.

* You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God ... abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15

We need never wonder about our great God's compassion for us.