John 11:32-35
“32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.”
Some tend to portray the Savior as stern, or rebuking, or unmerciful. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Jesus felt deeply and loved fully all He met. Whether it was leprosy or blindness, hunger on a mountainside or an epileptic child, Jesus healed and cared and nurtured those who would receive it. And on receiving it, so many were changed forever, their hearts and lives free from burdens—emotional and physical—and made whole.
Years ago when I had pneumonia, a woman in my neighborhood came over with a grocery bag full of movies and books. She had a chronic illness and knew how it felt to be down, literally and figuratively. Choosing movies and books can be a gutsy move, but it was fabulous. I began reading the sweet At Home in Mitford series, and finished it by the end of my bed rest. The books brought joy, peace, and comfort. In the scheme of things, it was a very small gesture. But it was deeply healing and personally fulfilling to me. Her knowing how to comfort me truly touched my heart, and it’s helped me remember that very thing when others I know have become ill or discouraged.
What’s something you can do to comfort or show compassion to someone else today? Give a hug, forgiveness, a smile, a pot of soup? Share a little of yourself and you’ll find two souls healthier and happier.
Merry Christmas,
Connie
