Wednesday, December 03, 2014

WOYWW: Moved with Pity

This isn't my work desk,
but I can't resist showing off
the waffles my son Josh
woke up early to make!

Now this is my work desk.
That's my journal, and I just cut
a painted piece of paper to put the date for today.

This is how my desk looked as I prepared to paint.
A nice picture from a magazine,
carbon paper, prepainted paper, 
and a stylus to draw with.
Oh, don't forget the clips to hold the picture in place!

 "My heart is moved with pity..." Mt. 15:32


We are all made in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:27),
and I do believe that we have some of His character.
After all, we are "created to be like God, truly righteous and holy."
(Ephesians 4:24).
We can see this compassion in a child who cries when her playmate is hurt,
or who takes pity on a wounded kitten.
But as we grow older, we try to protect ourselves
from pain and distress and get immune to the faces of need we see around us.
It takes a lot from me to give money to a beggar
because I think of syndicates, and convince myself
that giving money just encourages begging.


 In Matthew 15, Jesus is confronted with a great crowd 
who had been following him for three days. 
He said, "They have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, 
for fear they may collapse on the way." A practical concern. 
How about me? Do I naturally feel compassion for the 
woman and child sleeping on rags and filthy cardboard on the sidewalk? 
Do I want to do something for the man languishing in jail for a crime he did not commit? How about a street child in danger of being preyed upon by unscrupulous men?

 Even if I do not feel "moved to pity" like Jesus, if I want to be like Him, 
I can start with a small action of mercy. 
Just like being happy starts with smiling. 
Charles Darwin said , "The free expression by outward signs 
of an emotion intensifies it." 
And William James notes that if someone does not express an emotion, 
then he has not felt that emotion at all.

 God is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4), and if we want to be the same as our Father, 
we don't have to wait till we feel compassion, we can just DO IT! 
Mercy is as mercy does!

 "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see." Luke 10:23


I always marvel at how much knowledge, entertainment and news
is at our fingertips if we have a computer or a phone with an internet connection.
The first computer was the size of a room, 
and the first hard disk drive was the size of a cupboard! 
And now, my phone has more power than that monster computer 
which I think was powered by steam!!!

Before, news had to carried by people on horses.
Now, a glance at my twitter feed can bring me news faster than CNN!
What an amazing world we have!


But are we just as amazed at how awesome it is, that 
the Messiah that "kings and prophets" longed and waited for, is here with us today? 
That we can actually have a relationship with Him? 
We can read His words, we can read His story. 
Is it not that we often take for granted that we can actually 
worship and fellowship with other believers without fear of getting caught, 
stoned, burned at the stake, or carted off to be killed by animals 
in the middle of an arena like the Hunger Games? 
The Jews are still waiting for their Messiah. 

Have we "found" Him for ourselves?



Blessings!
Patsy

6 comments:

  1. A lovely, encouraging post today, Patsy. Thank you so much. Advent is quite my favourite season, and your posts go a long way to helping me prepare for His coming. Your art work is amazing, as always. Hugs, Chris # 15

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  2. PS I'll be round to share breakfast tomorrow, if he wants to make those waffles another day!! x

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  3. Hi Patsy mmmm love waffles. Your artwork is lovely. Have a great week RobynO#26

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  4. Patsy those waffles look delicious. And I love your desk, mostly because it looks as messy as mine. "Hey, I'm not messy; I'm creative." :)

    Love the inspiration you give in your beautiful paintings and devotional thoughts. These ladies are lovely.

    Hugs,
    Teresa

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  5. Ah, yes, start small! I need to remember that. :) Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.

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  6. Anonymous5:37 AM

    The waffles look yummy and I love your paintings! Sorry for getting around to your desk so late... I am indeed one of the tortoise in life :D
    Hugs and happy crafting... til next week...
    Beth P
    #49 WOYWW

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I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy