November 11

Compassion

A Selfish Heart Changed

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what
he has done.” Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)

She was the fifth stranger who had come that day in need. “I have a
problem,” they each said. Why did they all expect me to clothe and feed
their families?

I forced a smile in greeting, wondering if a few coins or a piece of
bread would get rid of her quickly. She was thin, making her near-term
pregnancy obvious. “My baby is coming sooner than I thought. I have
no towel to wrap him in,” she pleaded. Compassion filled me as my
earlier irritations melted away. Why was I so selfish?

I folded a towel and gave it to her, along with a few pieces of fruit
and a bar of soap. Her face lit up as she clapped thank you. I lay in bed
that night praying for her.

Two days later, a note arrived saying she had delivered a baby boy. She
wanted me to come and name her son. Humbly, I named him David, a
man after God’s own heart. She seemed pleased with his name.
Later I found out that she had tested HIV positive before delivery.
Her husband rejected her and his unborn child. Because she was tested,
she was able to receive medications to reduce the chance of her baby
contracting the disease.

Six months passed, and I received a photo of chubby little David.
“Look how our David is growing!” a note said.
The next time my day is interrupted with a person’s need, I hope I
will see it as God’s invitation for a blessing.

—Becky, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa

Father, You see into my heart. Sometimes it’s ugly. Forgive me for my selfishness and change my heart as You did for this missionary. Provide food for Your children in
Zimbabwe who are desperately hungry at present. Give missionaries compassion as they minister to the needy. Amen.

Next day