Compassion Needs Weather ~ Rev. Dr. David Breeden

Compassion is not a hothouse flower.

Compassion needs weather:

the frost of failure,

the storm of anger,

the flood of regret,

the drought that says

there’s nothing left to say.

Compassion loves rough soil,

the stones, weeds, the cracks between

our best intentions.

Compassion does not bloom quickly.

It leans toward light

but does not fear shadow.

Compassion is not a hothouse flower.

It is a tough, persistent wildflower

growing between the cracks

of the hottest, hardest days.

Compassion loves the rough soil

of humanity.