While watching my nieces and nephews I had a sweet reminder of His tender care and selfless love. One of my nieces was visibly sick the other night and the other kids and I were kind of trying to avoid her, letting her sleep and not wanting to get sick ourselves. She got out of bed and came to join us and one of her brothers started to push her away. I had been doing the same thing in my mind, but in that moment a couple of scriptures came to mind:
"Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy." (3 Nephi 17:7)
"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14)
I'm grateful for these reminders that helped me respond more compassionately and she was visibly and immediately grateful for my more welcoming response. We have no right to criticize or judge. Responding with selfless compassion is what Jesus would do. He asked us to "go and do thou likewise." Invite, love, comfort, heal. That's the plan that brings peace and healing to all of us.
