Dear Luke,
Compassion means caring about someone else’s feelings and doing something to help them. It’s noticing when someone is hurting, lonely, or in need, and choosing to show kindness instead of walking away. Compassion looks like comforting a friend, helping someone who is struggling, or simply being gentle and patient with others.
✨ BIG IDEA: Compassion means noticing when someone is hurting and choosing to help, care, and show kindness. ✨
When my family and I first arrived in the United States from Cuba, we had almost nothing and everything felt new and confusing. But my uncles and aunts welcomed us into their homes. They shared their food, their space, and their love. They treated us with compassion, and their kindness helped us feel safe during a scary time. As an adult, I also saw compassion displayed in the Marine Corps during Desert Storm. Our unit treated the Iraqi prisoners of war with dignity and respect—even though we were on opposite sides. Showing compassion reminded us that every person is created by God and deserves to be treated with care.
The Bible is full of powerful examples of compassion. Jesus showed compassion whenever He healed the sick, fed the hungry, or comforted the brokenhearted. The Good Samaritan is another great example—he helped a man who had been beaten and left on the road, even though others walked right past him. God’s heart is full of compassion, and He wants us to reflect that same love to the people around us.
Luke, here are a few ways you can start practicing compassion as you grow:
Look for kids who are alone or having a hard day and be kind to them.
Offer to help when someone drops something, struggles, or feels sad.
Listen when someone wants to talk.
Pray for people who are hurting, even if you don’t know them well.
These small acts help you become someone who brings comfort, hope, and love to others.
My prayer for you, Luke, is that God will give you a tender heart that notices people in need. I pray you’ll be the kind of young man who brings warmth and encouragement wherever you go. May God fill you with His compassion so you can share it with the world.
With love,
Your Godfather,
Juan