And just like that, the year 2024 is on a roll, with no plans for looking back anytime soon.
Not me, though, I like looking back. Social media helps a lot in that department nowadays with lots of 🔙 memories, of course. I call them memories; my kids warn me that it’s digital footprints 👣. It’s a double-edged sword 😏
Anyhow, this 1st picture was taken way back in January 2018 – of a tree planted by council right in front of the lot we had just purchased. The plot of land was all cleared and marked up ready for construction. This tree reminds me of the mixed emotions we had at that time – gratitude, anxiety, fear of the unknown, worry, etc.
Fast forward six years, the tree has grown so much as per the 2nd photo below, taken earlier this week. Our family home was built in like five months, and by September 2018, we moved in. Over the last five years, our family of seven at that time has grown to nine and will soon be ten. Oh, how time flies! I love the “then and now” comparisons as they remind me of this old English saying that goes:
Time waits for no one
~ unknown ~
No, it does not! And might I remind us all that, it flies too 🤔😅… As much as we would like to slow time down, we’re not helping ourselves by thinking or wishing that. And I don’t think it’s a bad thing to look back from time to time.
Word of advice, though, if and when you do, do so with empathy. Don’t be too hard on yourself, your loved ones, your circumstances etc.. Rather, empathise with each other and the circumstances that have led you to where you are now. Yes, it may be painful for some, or joyous for others; some memories too sad or hurtful, others full of happiness – each has its own story as well as a lesson. Grab the lesson and move on 🙏❤️
You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.
~ Maya Angelou ~
Meanwhile, back home, this 2nd week of 2024 has been anything but good: it is so disheartening and disconcerting to read about and watch videos of the looting of shops and rioting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, yesterday 10.01.2024. Which has overflowed into other parts of the country.
PNG remains close to my heart because it’s home, the place where I grew up, and raised my own family too for a bit before moving to Australia. The recent civil unrest does not help at all, with unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, homelessness, breakdown of law and order, and many more – already rife across the nation, not just Port Moresby. I pray for prosperity and God’s peace that passes all understanding to prevail in our beloved PNG ❤️🙏.
Getting back on track, so empathy – what does it mean? What does the bible tell us about empathy? How can we show empathy?
the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
~ Oxford dictionaries ~
In the Bible, throughout His ministry, Jesus empathised with social outcasts, widows, orphans, tax collectors, sick, lame, blind just to name a few. In John chapter 8, we read about how the scribes and Pharisees tried to test Jesus:
[3] Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, [4] they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” [6] This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. [7] So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
John 8:3-7 NKJV
As we continue reading, this is what happens:
[10] When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” [11] She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
John 8:10-11 NKJV
Jesus did not accuse nor condemn her. All He said was “… go and sin no more. ” How many of us would empathise with this woman or any other person whom we believe has done something wrong? How many of us will stand up to accusers, gossipers, liars, etc? How many of us will ever look a person in the eye without judgement or condemnation? It is hard, yes! We’re not angels and most definitely will never be like Jesus – the perfect man, wisdom personified! We’re mere mortals, but our calling to be Christians was not meant to be an easy life.
The Bible has many other stories and verses, encouraging us to live as obedient servants of God, showing empathy and sharing His love to others, especially to those who need it the most.
[24] And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV
To God be the glory always 🙏❤️
Idau Hahine 