One day after I took out the trash I heard the familiar sound of a bee flying nearby. I think it must have hitched a ride on my hair or clothes and ended up in our house. I followed the sound and sure enough there was a bee flying in our kitchen. It quickly searched for an escape route and headed for a window not realizing the sheet of glass blocked its escape. It buzzed frantically against the glass unable to get back outside.
I felt bad for my frustrated friend. What could I do to rescue this tiny creature? My wife suggested I use a flower from a vase in the kitchen and try to coax the bee onto the flower. At first the bee refused my help but eventually it did cling on to a pedal. I gently guided the flower over to the open window and shook the bee onto the window screen. I closed the window trapping the bee between the glass and the screen.
Then I went outside and removed the window screen to allow the bee to escape. However, the bee clung on to the screen and wouldn’t let go. Now what should I do? I decided to carry the screen into our backyard where our orange tree was in full bloom. I gently put the screen next to a fragrant orange blossom. The bee slowly let go of the window screen and gently stepped onto the tasty blossom. Success! My little friend was safely out of our house and happily sitting on a colorful orange blossom. I’m sure he was exhausted but glad to be free!
Why did I feel compassion for my little friend? In the past I might have killed the bee with a fly swatter to prevent it from stinging one of our children. But we have heard reports of the declining bee population. I didn’t want to hurt it – I wanted to help it.
There are a number of passages in the Bible where Jesus felt compassion for helpless people in need. He felt compassion for a widow whose son had died (Luke 7:11-17). He felt compassion for several thousand people who lacked food (Mark 6:34-44). He felt compassion for those who were blind (Matthew 20:29-34). But Jesus didn’t just feel compassion – he also took action. He personally helped those in need. Let me encourage you to show compassion and take action to help someone in need today. You may not be able to help everyone but you can help someone. Give some food, lend a helping hand or give a gift to someone around you or someone around the world who needs your help right now. You will be glad you did and they will too.
You can read 365 more stories (one for every day of the year) by the author in his book – Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is only $20 plus $5 for postage. Order your book today at markh@efreedb.org.
Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper 
I really like this one!
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