DId you know that “tenderness” is a synonym for compassion?

I love that word. Tenderness. To be tender is to be kind, sympathetic, merciful.

My favorite lullaby as a child-one that still floats through the corners of my memories in my mother’s voice-is Tender Shepherd. If you’ve never heard it, these are the sweet and simple lyrics.

Tender shepherd
Tender shepherd
Let me help you count your sheep
One in the meadow
Two in the garden
Three in the nursery
Fast asleep

Tender shepherd
Tender Shepherd
Watches over all his sheep
One say your prayers
And two close your eyes 
And three safe and happily
Fall asleep.

Safe and happily …

We don’t always get comfortable, and we sometimes don’t get happily … but we are safe in the arms of a Tender Shepherd who guards His sheep … He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11) …

And this Shepherd who loves us well sends us into the world to care for the least among us. It is the mark of His flock. (Matthew 25:31-46).

So how to do for the least of these?

What does this …

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
     maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute (Psalm 82:3 ESV).

… and this …

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 NKJV)

… look like?

Well, here is one way.

This is blogging month for Compassion International. When I wrote about Psalm 82:3 previously, I said I was unaffiliated. Now I am affiliated. And by that, I have volunteered (for free) to intentionally blog for and about what Compassion is doing in the lives of children worldwide.

For the uninitiated,

“Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.”

Right, so what can you do? Easy. Sponsor a child. For $38, you will be matched with one child and have the opportunity to invest in their lives, writing letters, exchanging photos and building Kingdom relationships. Compassion works with local churches to provide

• Ongoing Christian training
• Educational opportunities
• Treatment and training to maintain child health
• Development of self-confidence and social skills
• Key life skills and vocational programs

You may also be assigned a child randomly if you so choose … however your heart leads you .

… Click on the Compassion banner on the side bar to the left … There is also a link permanently installed at the bottom of the blog. If you need some time to think, to pray, you can always come back … it will be here …

Please prayerfully consider how you can make a difference in one child’s life.

~M.