Eeyore is the character in Winnie the Pooh and The House on Pooh Corner who tends to
reframe difficult situations by thinking positively about the situation. Eeyore says things like,
“It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine. And, “The nicest thing about the rain is it always
stops. Eventually.” He is known for losing his tail which makes Eeyore sad. Once when
Eeyore’s tail is lost Owl finds it and uses the tail as the string to ring the bell on the outside of
Owl’s house. Thankfully Winnie the Pooh recognizes Eeyore’s tail and returns it to Eeyore.
One day Pooh notices Eeyore is sad. Eeyore responds “Sad? Why should I be sad? It’s my
birthday. The happiest day of the year.” But he really is sad because no one remembered. In
another adventure Eeyore tells Christopher Robin it is snowing and freezing outside, while
pointing out the positive fact there have not been any earthquakes lately. Eeyore is practicing
reframing and speaking positivity into existence. Empathy is tied to gratitude. Not only is it
important to name our feelings, but we have to work through them so that we can be open and
prepared to find the happiness and joy around us. At the same time, we need to be aware all of
our feelings are important and tell us things we need to be aware of. Even challenging
emotions like anger and jealousy influence our actions so it is best to be aware of what we are
feeling so that we can choose calm, reasonable behaviors instead of behaviors that harm.
Much of my life I have not heard preachers engage the Bible from an emotional
standpoint. Most often it seems like discussion involves roles and behaviors. And yet, it is our
emotions that inform our choices and the actions we choose. Jesus wept is not only the shortest
Bible verse but simply states that Jesus experienced emotions choosing to process them in
appropriate ways. Empathy is an important tool for effective leaders to use because it is
foundational for expressing compassion with others. Knowing that Jesus acknowledged and
shared is feelings publicly is reinforced by the writer of Matthew 9:35-36. There are many
stories in the Bible which share of Jesus’ ministry and how it involved traveling to meet
people where they were. This reading from Matthew reminds us that Jesus was aware of the
people he encountered. He empathized with them. By looking at them and listening to their
stories Jesus knew they were suffering and grieving. This is the place where Jesus’ ministry
happened. With people and by acknowledging them and their feelings.
The writer of Galatians 6:1-5 demonstrates humanness when discussing catching others
doing things that are wrong, I consider this comment judgmental because in reality each of us
causes harm sometimes. What I do appreciate is the writer’s reminder to help carry one
another’s burdens. In carrying each other’s burdens, the writer points out we are following the
ministry of Christ Jesus. In our lives we will experience our own difficulties but it is together
that we help one another negotiate these challenges. This is demonstrated by Christopher
Robin, Winnie the Pooh, and the rest of their friends when they rally together to help each
other. Using empathy appropriately necessitates remembering that not one of us is better than
another. No matter our titles, roles, or ages. We are who we are and need to allow each other to
be ourselves. I believe that caring for each other strengthens us and heals us. 1 Corinthians
12:24-27 reminds us that because we are all part of Divine God’s family that we must use
empathy to understand when a person tells us they are hurting and believe them just as easily
as when we hear that a person is experiencing joy and we celebrate with them.
The final scripture we heard read was from Romans 12:13-15. Here the writer also
reinforces the understanding that we must laugh with those who laugh and cry with those who
cry. To do so appropriately we must utilize the gift of empathy. When it comes to the
characters from the 100 Acre Woods, Eeyore’s friends understand he is trying to make the best
of situations that are difficult for him. When Pooh realizes Owl has taken Eeyore’s tail Pooh
makes sure that the tail gets returned. Both Piglet and Pooh try to make Eeyore’s birthday
special when they realize he is feeling sad no one remembered. They also use their empathy to
determine that Eeyore must need a house in the freezing cold and they build him one. Piglet
and Pooh don’t always get things exactly right, but they do their best with what they have.
They do not hold back but take action. This makes me wonder how are we being challenged,
as leaders, to bravely use our empathy and love to help others.
As Eeyore says, “A little consideration, a little thought for others makes all the
difference.” He also reminds us, “After all, one can’t complain, I have my friends.” When are
you thinking about others and how you can best help them meet their needs? Who are the
friends in your life that you can count on to be there and help when you need? How can you be
more like Jesus, practicing awareness of the feeling’s others are experiencing so that you can
be the friend they need when they are sad?
God of empathy, kindness, and compassion, guide us to name our feelings. Offer us a
moment to pause and reflect on the choices we can make so that we may determine whether
those choices are loving or harmful for ourselves or to others. May you guide us to grow more
empathic knowing this will help us create healthy relationships with the people we interact
with. Remind us that every feeling we have is a message that tells us information on how to
behave in situations. Help us to choose wisely. Let Christ Jesus continue to be our role model.
In His name we pray. Amen
