The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading PlanSample

God’s Compassion

God invaded my breakfast with a holy moment today. I was helping my daughter study for her school spelling bee. I called out words from her flashcards, and she spelled them between bites of cereal.

Almost halfway through the list, I pronounced the next word: compassion.

She spelled it: c-o-m-p-a-s-h-i-o-n.

“No, honey,” I corrected her, “it’s passion, as in ‘a strong feeling.’ ”

“Got it,” she said, scooping another spoonful of Captain Crunch. “What’s compassion mean?”

“Well . . .” How do I explain it to a third grader?

“Compassion is when you see someone who’s hurting, and you want to help. For instance, when you’re sick and I take you to the doctor, I have compassion on you. I love you so much that my heart hurts when you hurt, so I help you.”

“Oh!” she said brightly. “Like how God had compassion on us after Dad left!”

She carried her bowl to the sink while I sat speechless. She was right, of course.

A year earlier my husband had moved out, leaving me with three young kids and no idea how we would survive. We were overwhelmed with shock, grief and insecurity.

Immediately God showed us compassion. He helped us not only with our needs, such as groceries and bills, but through God-winks as well: Christmas gifts for the kids. Meals with friends. Laughter and hugs and fun. Over and over the kids and I were amazed by and grateful for God’s loving compassion.

Our heavenly Father still extends us compassion daily. Sometimes I can be too focused on my circumstances to see God’s mercy. But when I look carefully, I’m stunned by the ways God graciously covers us with his compassion.

Jennifer Stair

Taken from Fulfilled