Attribute #14 - Compassion

Next comes Hayden, and the first Christ-like attribute I noticed when I met him was compassion. Michelle has had a rough year or two, and I could tell he genuinely felt for her and wanted to make things better.

Compassion: sympathetic consciousness of others distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

Zechariah 7:9

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

1 Peter 3:8

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

I had forgotten until this week that in President Uchtdorf's "creativity" talk, the second topic he covered was compassion. That makes it fit even more perfectly in this little Christmas countdown.

Concerning compassion, he said:

Being compassionate is another great work of our Heavenly Father and a fundamental characteristic of who we are as a people. We are commanded to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion. Those who follow the Savior “mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” When we reach out to bless the lives of others, our lives are blessed as well. Service and sacrifice open the windows of heaven, allowing choice blessings to descend upon us. Surely our beloved Heavenly Father smiles upon those who care for the least of His children.

President Uchtdorf's address included this invitation:

In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers.

What a wonderful time of year this is, when so many are trying to follow this charge. I'm grateful for Hayden's example in this area.