The other day I looked out my patio door and there was this
little finch warming up with our escaping heat.
Later that same day I came across a busy street where the cars in both
directions were stopped as driver after driver tried to coax a small white
poodle into their car and out of the road.
Then as I drove into a parking lot I saw a person bundled in clothing so
that I could not tell if it was a man or a woman, holding a sign asking for
help. As I left the lot I noticed the
person was gone, hopefully helped in their need. The whole day made me wonder, what stirs the
human heart to provide shelter for the lost?
All that the bird needed was for me not to open the door and
chase it away. But many times the need
demands action and real commitment. I
have seen those in abundance these past few days, as Indiana was hit with a
“snow-apocalypse.” People helping each
other dig out their cars, offering a warm place when power is out or just
checking on each other.
We call it compassion.
The etymology of "compassion" is Latin, meaning
"co-suffering.”[1]
Probably the most revered of Jesus’ parables is story about co-suffering called
“The Good Samaritan.” [2] The basics of the story are a person of
Samaria stops to help a person who has been beaten and robbed. The co-suffering occurs when the Samaritan
stops his journey to aid another, then administers to his wounds and finally
finds an inn and pays for his time to stay and heal. The Samaritan co-suffers with loss of time
and money. Shelter was the pivotal
need. Shelter protects from elements,
predators (both animal and human), and also is a place where food can be
stored, cooked and eaten. It is a place
to rest and heal. It is a place to raise
children and welcome friends. Shelter is
home and yet it can also just mean the barest of necessities. Think of all the millions of refugees from
violence, economic and environmental disasters.
What is shelter for them? How do
we provide for them?
Then there is our planet.
It is our ultimate shelter. So
why do we help people and animals find the shelter they need. Why is there such a passion to “save” our
planet? It could be cause of the
proverbial “there by the grace of God go I.”
Or it could be the wondrous idea of “paying it forward.” What if instead when we help one another find
shelter we are acknowledging that we are all part of the kingdom of God, all
children of our Creator from the smallest finch to the mighty sperm whale, from
the artist to the zoologist, we are all precious brothers and sisters of God’s
family. If your sister needed shelter
from a storm, you would be eager to offer it.
If your brother lost his job, you would help with bills and food until
he could get back on his feet. It is
what most families do. Not because what
goes around comes around, but because such co-suffering is who we are in the
very fiber of our being. We are made to
make a difference in this life. Remember
the story of the Good Samaritan was told because someone had to ask, “Who is my
neighbor.” The questioner wanted to
limit his co-suffering. Jesus, the one
who suffered for us all, told a story that said there is no limit. Providing shelter is who we are, children of
the living and loving God.
I dedicate this blog to all those little finch seeking
shelter from the storms of life.
Blessings, Linda
If you want to think about shelter in a whole new way, I
would recommend checking out the documentary Garbage Warrior by Oliver Hodge of architect Michael Reynolds
attempts at off- grid housing. [3]
[1]
Well written article by Wikipedia with many resources to explore the depth of
our understanding of compassion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compassion#cite_note-sjsl-2
[2]
Luke 10:29-37
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