“And of some have compassion, making a difference:” (Jude 1:22)
Just recently someone come out to install internet service in our new house. Somehow, as my wife and I were talking to the young man, it came up in the conversation that I was a pastor and also the Chaplain for the Sheriff’s Office.
Later, as I was in another room with him, he stopped working for a moment and began pouring out his troubles. There were many things going on in his life. Some of the things he told me about were very personal struggles he was trying to deal with but that were overwhelming him.
After he got through telling me his story, he looked at me and said, “I don’t why I’m telling you this. I haven’t told anyone about these things except my wife.” Then he said, “I guess I just need someone to pray for me.”
Before he left, I asked him about his salvation and he assured me he was saved but wasn’t living like he knew he should. So I said, “Can I have a word of prayer with you before you leave?” He said, “I would like that.”
I prayed for him, his wife and family, and for the struggles he was going through. When I finished, he said, “You don’t know how much that helped me for you to pray for me.”
It got me to thinking. We never know what struggles someone we encounter might be facing. That seemingly rude waitress, that quiet cashier, that co-worker no one gets along with may all be facing struggles they are trying to deal with in their lives.
They don’t need our impatience or angry reply. What they need is compassion!
Ask yourself, “Who can I be a blessing to, today? Whose heart can I touch for Jesus, today?” You might just find yourself listening to someone’s overwhelmed heart, when all of the sudden they stop and say, “I don’t know why I’m telling you this.” And you will say to yourself, “I do!”