What Is Compassion?

I've heard a lot, especially lately, that I'm very compassionate.
I don't understand.
I simply react with my heart and try to be nice.
Sometimes I fail.
Is compassion doing the right thing?
Is compassion reacting with your heart?
Is compassion doing the Christian thing?

I've never seen myself as compassionate. I simply try to live my life without injuring others and trying to make a place for myself in the Light.
Is that compassion?
If so, why isn't everyone compassionate?

It's A Hard Knock Life

I visited the Thomasville orphanage Sunday.
I had a few pre-concieved notions about what to expect.
And had worked myself into a fit, only to tell myself I was exaggerating and it wouldn't be that bad.
It will be that bad.
I was placed in a group home when I was 16 and developed PostTraumaticStressDisorder because of my stay there. This may tell you something about the emotional toll the experience had on me. It may also explain a little about me if you've ever wondered about my Exaggerated Startle Response or inability to get really close to people.
This "orphanage" is not an "orphanage" it's an upscale group home. They still have everything I hated about my stay, and I'll likely be living with the group of girls that are in the place because they've done something illegal- just like I was before.
But- I KNOW that God has great things in store for me this summer. I'm being placed in this position for a reason. I went through my experience so that I can reach out to these children better and handle the situations that are about to be presented to me.
Most of these kids don't know Christ. I pray that they will see how God handled my situation and got me through it with His love, and want to experience it. I pray that I will be able to properly show them the love He can give.
Most importantly, I want these kids to learn the lesson I've been telling myself all these years- Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is.
There are kids there who should be in jail, kids that have been abused in many different ways, kids who have family that refuse to take them back, and kids that will be going home soon, they just need to work through a few things.
I know that there is a special place for me in each of these children's lives.
My biggest concern is emotional right now. Please, God, don't let my own experiences resurface and pull me down. Let this summer be dedicated to You and let me remain strong through You.

To everyone reading this: stop now and say a little prayer. Not only for me but for these kids. I don't know what the plan is, but it's gonna be big. Please keep us in your prayers throughout the summer.
I really hope to update frequently on here, but if you want updates continuously, I plan on sending ou weekly e-mails. If you'll comment with your e-mail address, I'll add you to the list going out with updates from these kids including what's going on, prayer requests, info about these kids and the way God is shaping their lives, and the devotions I'll be leading them in along with requests for ideas of devotions based on the info I'll be sending out.
Thanks be to God.

The Power of Interpretation

Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy . There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal. He'd have a religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community.
If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy ; if the Pope won, they'd have to convert or leave.The Jewish people met and picked an aged and wise rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the rabbi spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a 'silent' debate.
On the chosen day the Pope and rabbi sat opposite each other.The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers.The rabbi looked back and raised one finger.Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.The rabbi pointed to the ground where he sat.The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.The rabbi pulled out an apple.
With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the rabbi was too clever. The Jews could stay in Italy !!!
Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.The Pope said, 'First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only one God common to both our beliefs'.'Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us'.'I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God absolves us of all our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin'.'He bested me at every move and I could not continue'.
Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the rabbi how he'd won.'I haven't a clue' the rabbi said. 'First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger'.'Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I told him that we were staying right here'.'And then what' asked a woman?'Who knows?' said the rabbi. 'He took out his lunch so I took out mine'.
__________________________
This little joke sums up my life right now.
I also found out that I do not like facials as much as I thought I would.
And I've decided to grow my hair out- so soon I will be a natural blonde instead of a redhead.
Let the blonde jokes commence.

If You Love Something, Set It Free

I've recently become very amused by this:
Have A Hug!
<(^_^<)
... <(*_*<)...
<(=_=<)
Stupid Distance

I didn't think I could cry, leaving Freshman year of college for summer vacation.
But I realized at college, I've found those friends that teach you what love really means.
That sometimes it's okay to make mistakes.
And that everybody needs to be laughed at sometimes.
That if you fall, just get back up and go, don't quit.
Sometimes things need to be a little harder than you initially thought they were going to be for you to appreciate what you're learning.
I've learned to dance in the rain, to say "I'm Sorry", to hug like I mean it, and to not be afraid.
Because I have a set of friends right beside me, and they'll always be there.
So:
Don't lead, I may not follow,
Don't follow, I may not lead.
Just stay by my side, and by my friend.