Before I tell you about Evan, let me share Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion…”

Okay, back to Evan. He was a boy from St. George, Ontario in Canada. He had an inoperable brain tumor. He was so ill that they worried he wouldn’t live long enough to see the annual Santa Claus Parade.

So the town moved up the Parade. Yup, they held it in October! Evan had a great time and even got to ride with Santa.

Unfortunately, he never made it to Christmas. He died in his mother’s arms on December 6th.

But because of the compassion of a small town, he got to see one last Christmas Parade.

Here’s where I’m going with this. I’m pretty sure that it would have been a lot of work—in fact, more work—for that small town to move up their parade. Just think of making the decision, the extra details, and even making artificial snow so that October would feel more like December. But the people of St. George did it because they wanted to do something special for a young boy’s last Christmas.

Quite often you have to go out of your way to show compassion. The needs (or dreams) of people don’t always happen according to a predictable schedule. Oh, and just because we’re busy (or distracted), that doesn’t mean the needs are any less.

Be on the lookout to show compassion to someone. You may have to go out of your way. It may be “inconvenient.” The opportunity may not fit with your previously-planned agenda. But it may give a smile to someone who’s living in a world of frowns.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion…”

Quite often you have to go out of your way to show compassion.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
–Stuck for a faith-based Christmas gift for someone? Order my book of devotionals called “Up!” in Canada here or in America here. 100% of the profits go to a local anti-trafficking organization called Fight4Freedom.