Lessons in Compassion

In our church the kids sit at the front during song service, closely watched over by their teachers. (I'm one of them.) After song service ends they're dismissed to Children's Church and mild chaos ensues as they try to race each other to the back of the church. Of course they can't do this very quickly knowing that both teachers and parents are watching, and the aisles aren't big enough to swarm down en masse. And in the far aisle sits a man in a wheel chair, taking up precious space. They are forced to go single file past him, which they do at breakneck tiptoe pace, ever mindful of who is ahead of them.

While I was teaching one week the kids asked why Micah stopped to shake the hand of the man in the wheelchair. We were learning about compassion, and I explained that we could all learn something from Micah. He may not have compassion for the man because of his disability, but rather Micah doesn't see the man as different. Micah stops to shake his hand because he's at Micah's level and it's the polite thing to do.

How often do any of us do that? How often do we look past someone's differences and see them as a normal person, on our own level?

The next week it took quite a while for the kids to make their way out of church. Every single one of the kids stopped to shake the hand of the man in the wheelchair. He beamed from ear to ear.

And Micah simply stood in line to wait his turn because that's what he does.

24 comments:

Pam said...

Okay- I'm all crazy on PMS hormones and all that- but that story brought a tear to my eye! I love that to so many Micah teaches us all so many lessons!

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

Isn't he the best at teaching us how to be closer to God? Wonderful story, K.

KG said...

How fantastic! And - talk about looking past somebody's disability? Look at all the wonderful things people can see in Micah if they look at him as a person instead of as a disabled person. He's fantastic and I just want to give him a big ole hug.

Anonymous said...

That is so freaking awesome. I can't even find the words to express it. Thank you so much for sharing. :-) We all could learn from those who see others as just another person trying to get through life just like us.

calicobebop said...

Oh wow - the lessons we can learn from kids. What a sweet and lovely little fellow. Great post!

Kristen said...

You got one special boy.

But you already know that :D

Anonymous said...

I wish I had Pam's PMS to blame the tear in my eye on! What a beautiful moment, and what an amazing little boy Micah is - GREAT JOB, MOMMA!

Gina said...

Ok - that made me cry. What a sweet story.

Michelle said...

That totally rocks. I'd congratulate Micah, but it sounds like that's just par for the course for him and something he doesn't think twice about. What a way to make the guy's day though! That's so cool. And yeah, I got a little tear in my eye, too.

Karen said...

That is such a beautiful story. I will have to read it to my kids!

Flea said...

Yeah. I have PMS too. So there. :) No fair making me cry at work at four AM.

Know what's really cool? Micah will always be that special, always be teaching y'all - and us - lessons. Awesome!

Betsy, short for Elizabeth, formally known as Esther said...

Amen.

Trisha said...

And a child shall lead them . . .

Irene said...

So sweet! So absolutely sweet! I love this story!

Andrea said...

You truely have one special boy! Such a sweet spirit. A wonderful lesson we could all learn from.

jessica said...

amen again.

Tootsie Farklepants said...

This is the sweetest post.

imbeingheldhostage said...

yep. You have me crying again. Beautiful. Micah is a beautiful soul...

HalfAsstic.com said...

Wow. Isn't it amazing WHERE the everyday lessons in our life that are the most important ones come from. Not necessarily the minds of higher education you would think...

Wineplz said...

dang it woman! you made me cry again...and at work, no less!

I can't wait to meet your sweet boy and shake his hand.

caramama said...

Yep. That brought a tear to my eye. What a great thing it must have been to see. Way to go, Micah!

Michelle said...

I absolutely loved this story; thank you for sharing it, and Micah, with us!

My Two Army Brats said...

I love that Micah taught the class a valuable lesson! Kids can all learn so much from each other but tend to think they can only learn from the teachers.

I'm new to your blog and I'm loving it!

just jamie said...

Okay. I love you. (And Micah, too.) And anyone else who shares your DNA.