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“Seven Whole Days of Compassion” by Haley Self, age 12

Seven days from today, I witnessed a child bend down and pick up some change, that an elderly woman had unknowingly dropped from her purse, while trying to pay for a purchase. The elderly woman looked at the child with a sweet smile and said "Thank you, very much."

"You’re welcome." said the child as he walked back to his mom. This taught me that we need to have a perfect balance of respect and assistance to the elderly members of our community. We need to both show respect and succor to the elderly.

Six days from today, I witnessed a man open the door for a blind woman walking into a Sunday School class at her church. This taught me to aid the handicapped that aren't as physically or mentally capable as I am. This also taught me not to think that because a person is handicapped in one area, they aren't good at anything else. Before the preaching started, the blind woman sang a special. She had one of the most beautiful voices I had ever heard. We need to assist and show kindness to those who are handicapped.

Five days from today, I witnessed a teenage boy run over and kick what looked like a stray, scared, mongrel pup, sitting beside a brick wall, chewing on an empty Coke bottle. The pup yipped, dropped his bottle, and ran behind a dumpster. Then a teenage girl who had also witnessed this cruelty went into a convenient store, bought a hot dog, and used it to coax the pup out from behind the dumpster.

"I think you'll make great friend!" she said as she cradled him and carried him to her nearby car. This taught me not to be cruel to God's creatures for no reason, other than our own wicked enjoyment. It also taught me not to ignore these acts of cruelty by others.

Four days from today, I witnessed a little girl standing in the fish section in Wal-mart crying and glancing around with fearful eyes, saying, "Mommy, Mommy, where are you!" Then a lady walked over to her, crouched down to her level, then held her hands and said, "It's going to be okay, we'll find your mommy." About ten minutes later  her mother ran to the little girl with tears in her eyes,

"Sophie, I was so worried, never do that again! Thank you so much," she told the woman. This taught me not to just ignore people who are troubled or scared. We should always help those who are afraid or troubled.

Three days from today, I witnessed a man give a little girl, no older than five, the daughter of a young widow, a birthday gift that she would not have gotten. Her mother had no money and the little girl had few family and friends. When the girl got the gift she was thrilled! She opened up the gift and it was a baby doll, just what she had wanted.

"Do you like it?" said the man. "I love her, thank you so much!" This taught me to be kind to people who are less fortunate than I am. It also taught me that even helping in what seems to me like a small gesture of charity towards others might just mean a lot to them. 

Two days from today, I witnessed a family of three stand out in their front yard in their pajamas on an early Thursday morning. They stand still in shock as the black remains of their burned down house is sprayed by the local firemen.

"I got this as quickly as possible, I'm so sorry about your house, I hope it will help." The family's neighbor had driven through the whole neighborhood and picked up people's unneeded clothes that fit the family's sizes. The mother then showed a smile that her family had not seen all morning! The mother held a pair of pants up to her five-year-old son and said,

"These will do great! Thank you." she said to her neighbor.

"You're very welcome!" said the neighbor. This taught me to try to help people who have been affected by natural disaster. The fire had affected many aspects of they're life. They are probably going through a very difficult time. 

Just yesterday, I witnessed a story of compassion that affected me more strongly than any of the others, the story of Jesus Christ, His journey to our sinful world. The way He came as a baby and grew up to teach others about His Father, our God. Because of His compassion, He was the greatest preacher ever, preaching even to us, sinners, so that we can go to heaven to be with Him and His Father. He then pursued the greatest act of compassion anyone has or will do. Jesus, the perfect Savior, not capable of committing sin, died for our sins, so we can go to heaven just by admitting we sinned, believing on Christ, and confessing our sins unto Jesus Christ our LORD. This taught me so many things! First, how great our LORD Jesus Christ is! Secondly, all that He did for us and how grateful we ought to be for His never ending love towards us. Thirdly, how important it is to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and my LORD!

All these things are great acts of compassion, but I believe that last one was the most important one of all. I hope that this has inspired you to be compassionate even if it is a small act of compassion, God always sees it! I hope God looks at you and sees compassion!

Reviewer’s Notes

Haley, this beautiful piece expresses the true meaning of compassion. Thank you for sharing it; I hope you will share this with many other friends and family members this month. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Keep Writing!

—Paige

 

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