My Take 5 drafts are due tomorrow. It has been a long week of ministry and I have had so much trouble finding the time to write. I also need momentum to write.  It takes the right mental space and some inspiration if I am going to enjoy it.  About an hour ago I was in that sweet space!  Only one more devotion to write and I am done!  There is only 20 minutes left until I am heading home and onto the weekend! That’s when the knock on my office door came. “Our Minister on Call had to go home early and there is someone in the lobby in tears needing to talk to a pastor.  Can you go down and meet with the individual?”  

I wish I could tell you that my first instinct and response was to say “Absolutely! I’ll head right down!” It wasn’t.  I felt exhausted by the need. The timing is so inconvenient.  Can’t someone else do it? WHY NOW????  After my internal and slightly external rant, I collected myself and headed down to meet with the individual in need.  To listen. To encourage. To pray for the things I can’t fix and ask God to show up in the life of an individual who is in desperate need of hope.  That is what Jesus did.  It is something that I am still painfully learning to do. Compassion costs us.  It is usually not convenient. It doesn’t typically take notice of our schedule or fit in our timeframe and yet it is what we are called to do and be as followers of Jesus.  Thank you Lord for the reminder as I finish out this week of devotions on compassion.  I have a long way to go to look more like your Son.