Compassion
Every day at work, we get calls from people asking for us to have compassion. When we tell them what we can and cannot do, some people flip and some people accept. I have learned that many times, compassion is not defined by the dictionary, but the individual asking for it. So, if the expectations of compassion are not met, is it really compassion?
I have been thinking about that all week. Monday evening, the Queen was called and informed that meals would be brought into our home the next three days. She flipped. Her definition and expectation of compassion differs from most. She did not ask for the service nor did she expect it, but yet it arrived. Has it really been compassion?
Don't get me wrong, the meals that have been provided have been exceptional. We have truly appreciated the sacrifice that others have extended in our behalf. However, as I sat by the door the past three nights and waited for a meal to arrive, I have wondered who it was going to be, what was it going to be, would my children eat it, do they appreciate it for what it is?
As the week has progressed, I find myself feeling guilty accepting these meals. This evening they brought everything. The only thing they forgot was maybe the table cloth. We had all condiments, silverware, drink ware, plates, bowls, napkins, drinks and a meal. It was above and beyond what was ever expected.
I can cook. My children can cook. We are all capable of doing dishes. Did we really need the service? I have asked that question over and over again. I am told, it is not that we needed the service, but others needed the opportunity to serve. If this is the case, why do we wait until some one is ill, hospitalized, or dead to offer the service?
This has been rolling around in my head a great deal this week. I am just a guilty of not serving as the next. I have felt need to start looking for more opportunities to serve. I think we should start with those who have served. Who provides service for those who arranged the original service? What about those who serve all the time? We need to start reaching out to others. Like we received a call on Monday evening, I think we need to start making a call and saying, you have been chosen. I wonder what would happen.
I have been thinking about that all week. Monday evening, the Queen was called and informed that meals would be brought into our home the next three days. She flipped. Her definition and expectation of compassion differs from most. She did not ask for the service nor did she expect it, but yet it arrived. Has it really been compassion?
Don't get me wrong, the meals that have been provided have been exceptional. We have truly appreciated the sacrifice that others have extended in our behalf. However, as I sat by the door the past three nights and waited for a meal to arrive, I have wondered who it was going to be, what was it going to be, would my children eat it, do they appreciate it for what it is?
As the week has progressed, I find myself feeling guilty accepting these meals. This evening they brought everything. The only thing they forgot was maybe the table cloth. We had all condiments, silverware, drink ware, plates, bowls, napkins, drinks and a meal. It was above and beyond what was ever expected.
I can cook. My children can cook. We are all capable of doing dishes. Did we really need the service? I have asked that question over and over again. I am told, it is not that we needed the service, but others needed the opportunity to serve. If this is the case, why do we wait until some one is ill, hospitalized, or dead to offer the service?
This has been rolling around in my head a great deal this week. I am just a guilty of not serving as the next. I have felt need to start looking for more opportunities to serve. I think we should start with those who have served. Who provides service for those who arranged the original service? What about those who serve all the time? We need to start reaching out to others. Like we received a call on Monday evening, I think we need to start making a call and saying, you have been chosen. I wonder what would happen.
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