Can compassion be taught? I believe that after hearing this story, you will know it can.

I know you might not be getting on a plane anytime soon. I get it. But you will still get what I'm saying when I ask this question: Have you ever tried to board a plane with your child? (you just groaned, didn't you?) If so, I hear ya. It's not something one looks forward to, right? I have seen many women boarding a plane with their children, young moms trying desperately to calm them.

Now, this doesn't happen ALL the time or to every mom, but I don't think you'd hear one woman who would raise their hand and volunteer to do this.

Would you?

Let me tell you about a mom I saw at an airport with a three-year-old daughter who began kicking and crying on one arm and her hungry four-year-old also wailing at full blast. They came toward the back of the plane. *cue scary organ music here* I know EVERY passenger was quietly praying her seat wasn't beside them. One guy 'lost.'

However, this man didn't roll his eyes or groan, try to find another seat, or spend the whole time making unnecessary trips to the bathroom. Instead, this dude, let's call him Mr Jesus, offered to hold the baby while she got her kid buckled in and then, coloured with the said buckled toddler for the ENTIRE trip.

Because of this man's generosity of his plane-time, it allowed HER the longer minutes to feed her infant while her toddler was conversing animatedly with Mr Jesus - who answered EVERY comment. See why I named him that? ;)

Some might say she was lucky. She could have been seated next to anyone of us losers who were internally wishing for sleep aids and earplugs, right?

In 2 Samuel 9, we read of another example of sacrificial and intentional compassion. King Saul and his heir, Jonathan - murdered in battle. Some assumed David would kill off any rival for his place on the thrown.

Instead, in verse 3, this is what David asked: "Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?"

I mean ... right?

Mephibosheth (I know - say that three times fast), Jonathan's son, was then brought to David, who knew how to be a compassionate person, immediately changed that boy's heritage from Saul's family to his own. He sympathetically and affectionately invited him to "share his table" - just as if he were his kid.

You may know I have two adopted sons. I am not telling you this to say I'm anything like king David, the best example of compassion. I struggle with the challenges any mom faces when kids live under her roof, even when they aren't my fruit. It challenges me ALL. THE. TIME.

However, my dear husband (who is aptly named David), is a master of grace and patience. Even when things are hitting 'rock bottom,' he takes every possibility to show intentional kindness toward our sons. Not that I don't! He does it WAY better and takes every opportunity. ;-)

Being trapped in a plane is not TOO unlike what we are dealing with right now. Except the plane is our living room, and there is no kind stranger to occupy our children while we manage our house. There are television and PlayStation or X-box or several other "screen savers." And these things are beneficial sometimes! But not ALL times.

I believe compassion will make you beautiful. As an heiress of the limitless mercy of God, I am challenging myself to watch for those opportunities to show intentional kindness too. For it is through God's kindness, He woos us back into a relationship with Him.

If You are for us

Who can be against us

You gave us everything

even Your only Son

It's your kindness that leads us

To repentance Oh Lord

Knowing that You love us

No matter what we do

Makes us want to love You too

-Leslie Phillips

How about you? In these days of uncertainty, it is pretty satisfying to remember why compassion is so important and how opportunities to show intentional kindness can change the world. You have been given the challenge to find out if it can be taught, consider what compassion means to you and live out compassion in action.

But can compassion be taught?

Of course. We all want children to learn to be kind, and we even spend an excessive amount of time with a reoccurring, “Be kind!” to toddlers who may not have any clue what we are saying. Being kind to one another is essential. Many children grow kindness and compassion naturally, but teaching kindness to kids is nevertheless important and oh-so-worthwhile.

After all, it was HIS kindness that brought you to repentance. YOUR intentional kindness to the children in your care can make a world of difference in their own lives as they grow into compassionate adults. It just may be YOUR kindness that brings them to know Him someday.

And you don't have to get on a plane to do it. ;-)