Six weeks into my sophomore year of high school, I changed schools. I had attended schools in Florida up until that time. But my dad accepted an offer to pastor a small church in rural South Georgia so off we went. Much to my chagrin.
At the end of my first day at my new school, I was loaded down with books. I did not get a locker. I did not have a backpack. I did not know where my bus was parked. And a guide wire from an electrical pole decided to reach out and trip me.
That’s right, knock a girl down a little lower.
Did I mention the pole was in an area with no grass?
Dirt. Nothing but dirt. Dry dusty dirt. Hot, humid South Georgia dirt.
With dirt between the pages of my books and all over me, I missed my bus. Thankfully, Mrs. Dupree had my address, since I had no clue what it was and drove me home.
I wish I could go back now to thank her but she has been gone for a while now.
This was the beginning of a very rough year in high school.
Mrs. McCall kept her eyes on me. As my homeroom teacher, she knew my attendance and knew my grades from my old school. She saw the turmoil reflected in my attendance and grades.
I didn’t want to be there.
I went from a straight “A” student to one that just couldn’t keep up.
She called me into the hall one day and asked if I was okay.
“Yes, ma’am.”
What a lie!
I had skipped school and she knew it. I am amazed that she didn’t let my parents know immediately but it was six months before they found out.
I paid the consequences for that one!
I eventually came back around in my junior and senior years. Maybe failing a class woke me up and caused me to realize I needed to get it together. Or maybe it was the consequences I had to face for skipping school.
Either way, those two ladies made a difference in this student’s life.
There were others too but those two noticed me. They took extra steps to help a student who needed it. They showed me compassion when I didn’t deserve it.
My attitude was horrible and everyone around me knew it.
That didn’t stop them from stepping in to help me.
We all find ourselves in predicaments – moments in time where we just need a little help.
Compassion steps into the rough patches to hold out a hand to raise a young, heart-broken girl out of the dust to give her a ride. It is compassion that calls her out without fully calling her out.
It is compassion that tells someone hard truths when it would be so much easier to look the other way.
Are you looking for those that need a little compassion? Do you give it? Are you always ready to extend a compassionate hand to that one who is struggling?
Look around. Who can you find to help?
