Apr
9
2021
The Compassion Of A Child
Posted in Daily Living 4 Comments
We have so many books in our home.
Upstairs, on the bridge, which overlooks the foyer and family room, is Grandma’s library.
That is what I call this special place.
Three large, overstuffed bookshelves, and a comfy oversized chair with an ottoman, are there.
Grandma’s library contains all the books I read to my own children.
Grandma’s library contains many books that I purchased for my grandchildren.
It is a cozy spot.
It is a place where the generations meet.
We have a small bookshelf next to the toy chest in our family room.
I try to rotate books on that shelf.
The bottom shelf holds board books for younger hands.
The top shelf holds the read aloud books that I share with my two older granddaughters.
I brought down some books that they had not seen.
They were books that we had not read together yet.
I remember the day I shared one of those books with my oldest granddaughter.
The book is called, Come To The Doctor, Harry, by Mary Chalmers.
I had not read that book in many years.
Since my granddaughters love animals, I knew they would love this book.
The main character is a little cat named, Harry.
It was my oldest granddaughter to which I read the book one particular day.
Harry, the cat, catches his tail in Mrs. Kelly’s screen door.
He runs home to his mother who suggests they go to the doctor.
Harry doesn’t want to go to the doctor, but his mother’s decision prevails.
The rest of the story talks about the doctor’s visit to bandage Harry’s tail.
As I read the book to my oldest granddaughter, she left my lap to get something.
She came back with her favorite blanket.
I assumed she just wanted to cuddle with her blanket on my lap.
However, she kept turning the page back to the page when Harry got injured.
I tired to read on so she could see that Harry’s tail did indeed feel better.
She kept turning the page back to that picture.
She laid her blanket on the picture.
She patted the picture gently.
My oldest daughter was watching her as I read the book.
She saw her turn the page back to the same picture time and time again.
She saw her place her blanket on top of the picture.
She saw her pat the picture gently.
We both looked at each other.
You do know why she is doing that? My oldest daughter said quietly.
No! I said a little frustrated that I could not assure her that Harry’s tail would be just fine.
I wanted to get to the end of the book so she could see Harry’s bandaged tail.
She is making him feel better, my daughter said.
She is giving Harry her blanket so he will not hurt anymore.
I looked at my daughter and hugged my granddaughter a little closer.
Are you sharing your blanket with Harry? I asked her as she continued to pat the picture.
Blanket and Piggy go everywhere with my granddaughter.
If she falls down, she runs to get them.
When she takes a nap or goes to bed, they must be with her.
They are a comfort to her.
Piggy is well loved.
His stuffing is not what it used to be when he was brand new.
However, Piggy is flattened in all the right places.
Blanket can come close to her face as she sucks her favorite finger and cuddles Piggy.
My heart was so moved by this simple act of compassion.
I tucked it away as a sweet memory.
It came to my remembrance.
This time, I was the recipient.
I was making grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone over the weekend.
I got out my panini press.
I made quite a lot of sandwiches for everyone who was having lunch that day.
I needed to get something on the counter that was behind the panini press.
As I reached over it, my arm hit the hot lid that was open.
I knew right away I had burned my arm a bit.
Fair skin shows every mark.
Within no time, I had the beginning of a blister on the outside of my wrist.
It is nothing major.
A little Aloe Vera helped it tremendously.
I had forgotten all about it until my granddaughter was over with her mom and sister.
What’s that, Grandma? She asked with concern in her voice.
Oh, Grandma got a burn on my wrist when I was making grilled cheese, I said.
She went away without saying a word.
She came back with her blanket.
She wrapped it gently around my wrist and patted it.
Oh, sweetheart, that is so kind of you to share your blanket with me.
My wrist feels better already.
I looked at her as she looked at my wrist with such sweetness and compassion.
I could feel the gentle pat of her hand on top of mine.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Children often grasp concepts far better than adults.
Children, in their innocence, see that someone is hurting and want to help them.
Medically, a blanket wrapped around my wrist with a gentle pat will not take the burn away.
However, in that moment, my heart was healed.
The compassion of a child, which is without pretense, is a beautiful thing.
The innocence of a child, wanting nothing in return, is so refreshing.
No wonder Jesus said for us to become like little children.
I want to be like my granddaughter when I grow up.
“I want to be like my granddaughter when I grow up”. Love that! My almost three-year-old granddaughter is gifted at making sure everyone in the room feels included.
Paula, children can teach us so much! They are so genuine. How sweet that your granddaughter wants to include everyone. That is a gift!
Gina
This is a precious story about a precious child! What an example to us! Maybe your granddaughter will be a doctor, nurse or other helping profession some day. This was wonderful to read—God bless you all!
Sue,
Maybe she will want to serve others in some way with her tender heart. And to think those qualities start so young!
Gina