I Have Compassion For You

God is surprising. Just when you think you deserve the worst punishment and angry lecture from God our Father, imagine instead hearing: "I have compassion for you".

The Bible is full of examples where God reveals He is compassionate. Jesus is revealed to be compassionate during his interactions with people in difficult and sad situations here on earth.

I can't really imagine being God, knowing how much He has to offer us and watching us walk the opposite direction. I suppose He understands how limited we are in our awareness of Him, even though He literally resides in us through the Holy Spirit.

Still, imagine hearing from God, "I have compassion for you". How would that change the way you feel about yourself? How would that shape your understanding of Him? Would you feel more comfortable coming to Him when you feel ashamed of yourself?

Sometimes fathers on earth don't live up to displaying the same character God has towards His own children. We mothers can fall in that same category.

As I was typing just now, I saw some type of liquid fly into the air after I unknowingly kicked it with my foot. Was it my kombucha? Nope, worse. It was my daughter's pumpkin spice hot chocolate with milk (But how cute is that? She chose the pack herself today. Fall season is in the air.)

You know what younger mom me would have done in that situation years ago during the "There's always at least one major spill each day" phase? I remember feeling so drained back in those days. There was so very much to get done each day and a spill would just do it for me. A spill meant something that didn't have to happen has happened and I am so angry about it. I didn't want to have to add this to my long to-do list.

One of those days, the Holy Spirit helped me learn not to react or even speak in that moment. Instead, be silent and take a breath. Let the frustration and anger not build but shrink. After a few seconds of obedient silence: deal with the matter at hand. Practice helps.

And thank God, that's what happened right now. Isn't it funny how all eyes are on mom in those moments? Will mom get angry? Am I in trouble? Instead of blaming someone, including myself, being hard on us, both parties involved cleaned it up. And yes, a new rule was placed about drinking hot chocolate only at the dining area, but no blame.

Hopefully my new way of coping with frustration will serve my kids as an example of how God, being perfectly good, doesn't react harshly to them when they fear the worse of Him.

For me personally, I need to be reminded that God's first response is not usually going to be anger, and it will definitely never be unrighteous anger.

Next time He finds we've made a mess in our lives He will most likely pause and say, "I have compassion for you".