Along the Spiritual Path
Our church’s rummage sale was over. I was helping to pack things up, our two young daughters were checking out the leftover toys. I didn’t know I was about to be taught a graphic lesson in compassion.
I had told the girls they could each choose one last item to buy, (hoping to forestall suggestions that we take home the whole lot.) When Kristyna showed me her choice, I was appalled. I blurted out, “Oh Kris, we can’t take THAT home with us.”
She held up a filthy stuffed animal: a dog made from an ugly toweling fabric, its seams splitting, and one eye missing. Kristyna’s eyes brimmed with tears as she chided me.
“But he needs love the most,” she said. Her words shook me.
Many times in later years I’ve remembered them and rush less hastily into total condemnation now when some person’s ugly act makes news. In cases of a victim and a perpetrator I wouldn’t care to judge who needs love the most. But I know love is called for, for both of them. Even when it’s hard for me to acknowledge God’s great compassion for a person I abhor, I try to pray for the welfare of the “dirty dog” as well as the victim.
Recently, I’ve thought of those challenging words again. They were brought to mind when I read about alleged local child molestation cases. I don’t know how my husband and I would have reacted at the time if this had happened to either of our daughters, or how we would have helped them recover from the experience.
However, from years of learning, I’m bold enough now to express the hope that there are parents who try to go beyond the conventional healing steps needed, and any legal matters to be dealt with.
Parents who, at some point, talk to their children about what a troubled person the molester must be. Pray with them for that person’s welfare, and that he will be able to feel remorse for his actions.
This might be a good time to read together the story Jesus told about the shepherd searching for the one sheep which was lost, out of a hundred he owned. It finishes “…More joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents than over 99 people who need no repentance.”
Demonstrating compassion can give someone a lifetime gift. I know: thanks to a young child.
Polata, a Los Altos resident and member of Foothills Congregational Church, writes a monthly column for the Town Crier.
