his compassion.

the weekend after new year's, i had a last minute opportunity to spend a few days in franklin. i didn't get together with lots of people like i usually do but instead spent a fairly quiet weekend relaxing, chatting & laughing with a few friends, visiting new coffee shops, working on some projects, seeing les mis {for the 3rd time:p}, being spiritually refreshed, swing dancing & taking lots of pictures. i didn't realize it until i was driving home sunday afternoon, but that weekend was just what i needed before jumping into everything that 2013 holds! it gave me time to refocus on what needed to prioritize my time in this season of life.

spending 11ish hours in the car by yourself gives you a whole lot of time to think... and one word that kept echoing in my mind was 'compassion'. what is it? what does it look like? how did jesus express it in his ministry on earth? how does he show us compassion now?

and also.

knowing that i'm a very practical person that tends to see someone's hurt/need & jump right to the solution rather than taking time to first comfort them... how can i learn to balance that & seek to meet people in their need, where they're at, and with compassion?? 

i don't have answers to all of those questions yet. still pondering, searching, praying & desiring to act. but i'm looking forward to growing in this area so that i can more effectively share with others the mercy, forgivness & grace jesus lavishes on us!

last year around this time, the thought that kept coming back to me was "his heart". seeking to have my heart transformed to be more like the lord's. originally i thought this meant my actions  and approach with others being transformed to be more like his. and to a certain extent, that was the case. but in looking back on the last year, what stands out so clearly to me is how closely he brought me to his heart. the close communion i shared with christ. how much he revealed himself to me in abundant & vibrant ways. it wasn't quite what i was expecting but it was such a sweet spot in my walk with him. i was still challenged in many new & difficult ways {and failed him over & over} but he was continually right by my side as i struggled up the mountain side.

so for twenty-thirteen, this is my anthem. compassion. to meet people where they are. to show them christ's love as he abundantly pours it on me though i'm so undeserving. it's already been a struggle but i'm enabled through him and because of him!

for his glory & honor,
em