Precious Feet

I was stopped at the light on E 13th Ave about to turn left onto Hilyard street when I was caught starring at Charlie. A woman, that looked like she worked at the hospital, was talking to you, but you continued to walk ignoring her. I continued to stare towards you, though. You caught my attention instantly. I noticed your light green jacket and rolled up pants you wore, then I looked at your feet..... you rocked back and forth on the outside edges of your feet to avoid putting pressure on them from the weight of your body. Each step hurt you, which hurt me. Oh, how my heart got torn out from my body in that moment as I empathized with Charlie and the pain he was enduring. Your feet were swollen, bare, red, and exposed to the ground with which you walked. Nothing else mattered in this moment as I watched your deep-in-thought face focus on the ground, not a face cringing in pain...no, just a face full of thought and motive to keep walking.

 The light changed from red to green and the cars around me began to move... I blinked and realized I needed to move before I got honked at from the busy traffic behind me, but so many emotions and thoughts hit me all at once that I didn't move for a few seconds. The self control it took for me not to jump from my vehicle to run up to him, rip my shoes off my feet, and hand them to him was extremely difficult. I have never wanted to help someone out more than I did for him in my entire life. I didn't want to leave him, but my car was moving and the next thing I know I'm turning onto a different street than him. He was now in my rearview mirror.... Gone! 

I began to pray... I didn't know what to else to do or say because I was "feeling the feels" so I just began talking to God. //Precious Jesus, heal his feet. The feet in which you created before time are wounded and only you can do miracles to heal him. I hope he knows you, Lord. I have no words so take whats on my heart and help me to process this and what I am experiencing. Help me to love deeper, quicker and easier. Be with Charlie and protect him. All this in your name Jesus Christ. Amen//  

I can't explain how my heart aches, still, right now. I see and hear about all the hurt in this world, and have experienced hurt myself but nothing has hit me this hard like Charlie has. Charlie, you have struck a cord in my heart.. Is this how Jesus felt when He would look to those who were hurting, diseased, sick, or dying? I like to think that I am experiencing a small glimpse of how Jesus felt when He witnessed the world hurting with His deep compassion and endless love.

Matthew 9:35-38 "Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of the area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. " 

The compassion the Lord has for his people is something that I want to have more of, not just compassion, but more unfailing love. It's one thing to be compassionate for those in need but they don't only need just our compassion, but, also our actions to show them endless amounts of love. 

We are called to get up, and serve the Lord selflessly. There was a quote that my psychology professor, Mary Ann Winters-Messier, shared with our class this last year that I will never be able to forget, "It's not enough to be compassionate. You must act. -Dalai Lama" I know I couldn't actually physically give anything to help Charlie, but I pray that God will bless him with just my thoughts and prayers for him now. One day I hope, Charlie, that our paths will cross so that I can meet you. There is something special about you. May your precious feet be blessed as I have been blessed by you today. <3