When my daughter was in elementary school, she was in a musical program.
Her best friend had a solo part in a popular song. When it came time for the solo, my daughter’s friend sang the wrong part. She sang it well, it was just the wrong lyrics.
Only people who knew the song lyrics or were following extremely closely noticed.
The young girl was embarrassed and began to cry. My daughter immediately put her hand on the girl’s shoulder, consoled and encouraged her.
My daughter is like that, she empathizes with others, she sees they are hurting, and she is motivated to do something. She doesn’t just talk it, she walks it.
My wife and I watched her that night take care of her friend and it brought us to tears. I want to have a heart like that, a heart that doesn’t just feel but also fuels action.
Many of us can sense a need. Some of us even talk about doing something. But what speaks louder and longer is actually doing something. People often need more than words or warnings, they need to see the light demonstrated.
Love in action, empathy in motion, compassion with hands and feet.
Sound travels at 761 miles per hour.
Light travels at 670,616,629 miles per hour.
Being the light is far more efficient than lecturing others about the darkness.
Be the light for others, demonstrate compassion, take action.
And pray that I will be more like my daughter.
-Tom Wise