You keep track of all my sorrows.[
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8

This last week we lost our little dog Rudy. It was so sudden and fast that I am still reeling. In the morning he seemed normal, chasing balls, gobbling food and harassing chipmunks. By mid afternoon he was lethargic and not moving much. Soon he lay on the carpet whimpering, unable to stand up or move. A friend helped me take him to the vet in Council. She held Rudy wrapped up in his old blankets while I tried to drive sensibly. It was only half an hour drive, but Rudy was gone by the time we brought him into Dr. Bruce’s office. He was as shocked as we were. “It was probably a stroke or blood clot,” he said. “He was pretty old,” he added kindly.

I know it is all for the best, but Dan and I are grieving. No matter how big or small the loss, grief is still grief which stings the heart. It comes because we take the risk to love someone or something. He was our goofy, “makes me laugh” family pet for 13 years, even before the grand children were born. Everyone will miss him, especially Dan.

Rudy didn’t understand what was happening to him; he seemed surprised and confused, struggling to breathe. He looked at me woefully as if to say, “Help me, please. Can’t you do something?” I only had comfort to give, comfort and a heart wrenching compassion for his suffering.

In that moment I realized that such is God’s divine compassion toward us and that it is far beyond anything we can fathom. If I, being evil could feel deep empathy for our hurting dog, how much greater is God’s compassion when we suffer or are sick? The Bible says that ‘He is “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” He sees our daily struggles, our fragility and hopelessness in trials and sorrows. One day we’re flowers in full bloom; the next day we are crushed and broken. The Father’s compassion, wedded to His chesed, loving kindness is ever close by and through Jesus we are unconditionally loved by our Father of Mercies. He is the Father in the parable of the Prodigal Son who never ceases looking for us when we are far off.

“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

The Father’s compassion races toward us in an embrace. It overshadows every grief, forgives our sin and separation and restores us with His loving kindness. During His short ministry on earth, Jesus’ compassion reached out to the multitudes. He healed the sick, saved the lost, and restored broken people. He had mercy on sinners and outcasts.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”Matthew 9:36

“Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” Matthew 20:34

He especially comforted families who were grieving, like Jairus, the widow woman who had lost her son, and his friends Mary and Martha in the raising of Lazarus from the dead. .

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. John 11:33

Jesus’ Gospel of salvation and healing might be called , “Jesus Christ’s Gospel of Compassion.” From the Father, through His Son and now through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter sent to this age, divine compassion flows like balm from the very heart of God to “wipe away every tear.” When I’m feeling loss or lost or overwhelmed, what great peace and joy there is knowing that God is nigh, consoling me before I ask.