A Grateful Heart of Compassion

During the month of November, we often think about Compassion Month at church. This is where we do a global outreach to other nations to ensure that children and families will get the essentials for healthy living. The month of November is also a reminder of Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. Both of these holidays are a reminder to give thanks to those who have served our nation in the armed forces and to give thanks for people, answered prayers, and the way that God has worked in our lives. As we approach the holidays, I am reminded of the many people who make endless journeys and sacrifices to ensure that others (particularly the elderly and disabled) are remembered and appreciated. These are the servants behind the scenes that bridge the gaps of humanity, and for them, we are thankful!

This morning I received a post on my social media site from a dear friend that warmed my heart. I asked him if I could share his story because it was inspirational and filled with a heart of compassion.

Happiness Is…

Being super-blessed to serve my country in the United States Air-Force, and then coming up with my annual tradition 20 years ago to faithfully rise up very early each Veteran’s Day morning to stop in to dozens and dozens of restaurants to retrieve as many free entrees and free drinks as possible so that I may return home to make as many dinner plates as possible to walk and deliver to as many of my senior-citizen neighbor’s homes on my street to bless their socks off. Yes, I’ll freely admit it’s very tiring especially having to rise up so early in the morning to plan all my stops which usually take upwards of 8 hours every year. But my old friends deserve great tasting food also! Right?? And they are definitely worth my time, bless their hearts. Especially the ones who can’t get out of their homes on their own because of various physical challenges. God I love them so… To see all their happy smiles when they see me at their front doors makes it all worth it…!

Bless the Lord Oh My Soul…

When I read his post, I thought that if we all had a servant’s heart and compassion for our neighbors, we could eliminate loneliness, despair, and depression. We could build camaraderie and meaningful relationships. We could take the focus off of ourselves and feel the blessings of serving someone else. This post has reminded me of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs where the first thing everyone needs is a sense of belonging. We all have the power to provide that sense of community.

I am grateful for a friend that has served his country to ensure our freedoms. I am proud to call him friend as he puts a smile on his neighbors faces out of a compassionate heart and a simple act of kindness. This is how the Lord wants us to live!

What will be your Grateful Heart of Compassion story this year?

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