Simple Compassion: Devotions to Make a Difference in Your Neighborhood and Your World

Simple Compassion is an exceptional devotional. Keri Wyatt Kent presents one devotion each week for fifty two weeks in four 13 week parts: "Compassion begins with you" (discovering our worth and God's uncompromising love for us); "Compassion Grows in Community" (simple ways to show compassion to other people); "Compassion Extends Beyond our Comfort Zones" (bringing God's kingdom to the poor and marginalized); and "Compassion Offers God's Love to the World" (sharing God's love with everyone). Compassion for others is central to God's love. Caring for others and helping them with their problems intensifies my love for God. Kent's teaching reveals that the more I love other people and care for them, the closer I become to God. Keri Wyatt Kent's topics focus upon common concerns of life, such as enemies, family, the elderly, and living with hunger or anxiety. In each topic, Kent surfaces spiritual insights and points to Biblical verses. She ends each topic with a "compassion step" and a "community step" that help us put our meditation into action. Kent's writes "Simple Compassion" like a journal. She makes comments and tells stories of actual events. Kent consistently includes scripture, and history. But this is not like listening to a professor in a class. It is more like sitting down with a friend over coffee and discussing your day Kent's comments are very personal and very relevant. She talks about events and problems that we all face. Although not all of her experiences fit my life exactly, I found her sharing of her life very meaningful. Simple Compassion is an outstanding devotional. I highly recommend it.

There four sections of devotionals contained within the book. The first section helps us to reflect on our own worth in the Kingdom of God so that we might better understand the worth of others. From there the book guides the reader to look with compassion at their neighborhood, nearby areas, and then to look at our world on a global scale. Each week, after reading a short selection, two action steps are suggested. The first step is an individual step of compassion, usually a question to get you thinking about compassion in your life, community and world. The second step is a community step, meant for a group of people to do together, as the book is meant to be studied in a group. (These steps could be modified for individual study.) The first section reminds us of our calling as children of God. I found myself nodding through the devotions, looking with fresh eyes at many of the biblical truths I often take for granted. Written specifically for women, Keri doesn't waste any time, nor does she mince words about the powerful role of women in the Kingdom of God. Over and over the reader is pointed back to God as the source of our wisdom and strength as we move to love those around us. The second section moves us toward action in the communities where God has placed us. Keri reminds the reader, "No matter where you are, it is not an accident. God wants you to look around and notice the people right in front of you, who need to experience the love of God through you." She emphasizes that we grow as individuals through community. After all, the fruits of the Spirit aren't usually demonstrated by ourselves, they are evident in the context of relationship. (p. 86) Of course, in this section Keri cautions the reader NOT to think of those around us as evangelical projects. That is NOT what this book is urging us toward. We aren't called to sell Christ. We are called to be Him to the world around us and that is where her challenges push us in this section. The third section encourages us to extend compassion outside of our comfort zones. This is where we leave the neighborhood where we live and allow God to lead us to the needy outside of our comfort zones. This section begins to focus on purposefully seeking out the needy and those struggling in poverty. This is where it really began to hit home for me. This section clearly tackles issues such as greed, materialism, and possessions in a direct manner. Keri address them in a biblical, non-legalistic manner which will challenge the reader to examine their own heart before God and follow his guidance. The final section is is designed to open our eyes and are hearts to the world. Keri encourages the reader to be open to "make small changes to make a small difference" and not to feel overburdened or hopeless. While tackling topics such as human trafficking, slavery, and hunger, Keri fills these sections with practical things we can do daily that make a difference. What I really love (as a mom) is that

I read "Simple Compassion: Devotions to Make a Difference in Your Neighborhood and Your World" with enthusiasm and excitement as I began. Skipping through the book and taking in random chapters / weeks of devotions, took discipline. It was a struggle not to read each page and linger with the exercises. At other times, as I considered slowly savoring the book with other women, a sense of invitation to change both excited and niggled me - making me a bit nervous. Do I really want to change? Keri Wyatt Kent's books consistently invite me to deeper relationship with Jesus. Each time I read one of her books, I am reminded of my dearest friend from high school. I don't see my dear friend often, but we can always pick up where we left off. Keri - although I haven't met her, seems like an old friend that I would love to sit down with & reconnect with. I love how these weekly devotionals / invitations are brief, yet compelling. Slow, intentional steps toward Jesus. Again I am challenged & encouraged by this author, to step out of my comfortable place and boldly respond to God's invitation to an intimate relationship with him, now. A relationship that naturally compels me to action. So now as I consider the invitation to be simply compassionate, I wonder who will join me on the journey? I don't think it will be for the faint hearted. I rather think it will take a bold response to God's invitation to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him.

Keri Wyatt Kent's latest book "Simple Compassion" invites us to take the next step in our journey toward spiritual maturity. While many of her previous books showed us how to slow down and make space for God, this book encourages women to build on those spiritual disciplines, and focus our attention on the needs of others. The weekly devotions are filled with unique and sometimes hard-hitting stories, that gradually draw you out of your comfort zone and into a world that desperately needs God. Yet since people often don't take action because they feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the world's needs, the author also provides examples of simple, practical steps that can make a big difference. I would recommend "Simple Compassion" to all women, regardless of race or socio-economic status. This is a book for anyone who hopes to make a difference in today's world.

What I love most about Keri Wyatt Kent's books is that she doesn't write "fluff". Her writing always has an underlying purpose of making the reader reflect on their own lives and make changes to become all God intended them to be. She follows this same pattern in "Simple Compassion". This book is a splendid weekly devotional on social justice that goes straight to your heart. No lofty, pie-in-the-sky ideas here, just practical "can do" ideas that make you take a look at how YOU can make a difference in your sphere of influence right now. The author peppers the devotionals with personal stories and examples that are not only a delight to read but and encouragement to you on your own journey. But she doesn't stop here. Kent takes the reader to the next level by giving action steps that encourage personal involvement in the community. "Simple Compassion" makes a great personal devotional, yet I feel it will work even better in a group setting with like minded individuals that want to reach out the needy in their communities.