Wednesday, December 19, 2018

True compassion

I've said it before in this space that Congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) is the hero America needs but doesn't deserve.

Crenshaw is the gentleman whose appearance (i.e. the eye patch covering the socket where he lost an eye in combat) was mocked by Saturday Night Live's Pete Davidson just prior to the midterm elections. Instead of expressing his being offended or demanding an apology, Crenshaw instead accepted SNL's invitation to appear next to Davidson and engage in his own fun at the comedian's expense. Afterwards, Crenshaw kindly acknowledged the heroism of Davidson's firefighter father who had been killed while responding the 9/11/2001 terror attacks in New York City. It was an example of grace which was downright inspiring.

Fast forward to this past weekend when Davidson posted odd messages on his verified Instagram account. The thoughts he conveyed seemed to indicate he was suicidal which caused many to attempt to verify his well being. Thankfully by Saturday evening, it was confirmed Davidson was in his usual weekly spot on the SNL set.

The next day, Davidson received a phone call from his new acquaintance.

Crenshaw told KPRC Houston (via The Hollywood Reporter) that he reached out to the star after seeing the 25-year-old's social media message.

"I talked to him personally [Sunday]," he said. "We don't go back very far. We're not good friends. But, I think he appreciated hearing from me. I told him everyone had a purpose in this world. God put you here for a reason. It's your job to find that purpose. And you should live that way."

How many of us in this world would show that kind of compassion to a person who openly mocked a physical deformity of ours in front of millions of TV viewers? Rep.-elect Crenshaw once again gives a sterling example of what it is to be an ambassador for God's kingdom.

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