When Life Stops

Some years back, when my children were quite a bit younger, an opportunity was given for a life lesson.  Ethan and Emma were jumping on the trampoline with some other friends.  Emma twisted her ankle during one of her "Olympic-style" twirls and laid on the trampoline floor, crying.  I heard her from the front lawn and came to see Ethan and his friend jumping around her as if nothing had happened.  After I checked to make sure Emma was okay and calmed myself down a bit, I called Ethan down from his fun and asked him to meet me outside the fenced backyard.  He immediately wanted to know what was wrong.  I responded with one statement that just came to me:
"Life stops when someone is hurting."  I followed it up with a little explanation, a rub on his head and a chance for him to make it right with his sister. 

My son is a good boy and his reaction was harmless in intent.  But the lesson serves well for all of us! Here's the reality: Our lives get sucked in by the roles, responsibilities and routines of every day.  We have to intentionalize compassion.  And, if we don't remind ourselves of that fact, life will continue on for us and the critical needs of hurting people around us will go unmet.  If our daily duties can't slow down enough to help bring relief to those in a season of loss, we are REALLY too busy...and, more than just the few will suffer for it.  Here are some suggestions to bringing a temporary "stop" to what's normal:

(1) Make a call, send a text or write a card to someone hurting write now.

(2) Set aside some time to prepare a meal, make a visit or lend a hand.

(3) Attend a prayer gathering on behalf of the broken and those who are helping them.

(4) Donate to a relief organization.

(5) Partner with a local church or other non-profit to make a bigger difference.

Someone said that we can learn as much from the "stops" of Christ as we can His steps.  So, let's stop long enough to be His hands extended.  Our trampoline can wait.

What can you do to slow your life down long enough to help someone in need?