Compassion - for whom?

The phone rang at 8:30 PM. I'm in the office - doing what? Studying Greek, what else. One last quiz!! So close to the end of these long nights, cramming, cramming, cramming. No life but Greek!

It was Brad, who was at a reception (that I didn't go to) for returning missionaries. There was one who with her daughter needed housing THIS weekend - Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday morning.

"But this is my LAST weekend of Greek! I will be cramming for the three hour test and then taking it THIS weekend!"

"I explained that and they understand. I will take care of them. You don't have to say yes."

But how do you say no? These are former colleagues, friends. All the other options in the neighborhood must be full.

"I guess so."

Hung up - and was furious! Not sure at whom! This CAN'T be happening! Could there be a worse weekend? How could I ignore them if they are in my home? And I wouldn't WANT to ignore them! But how could I, at the very last stretch of the race, step out of "Greek time", enter "real time" and not panic? And I was struggling last night, trying to remember stuff I've already forgotten and must know for the test, fearful.

Brad came home, heard my huge frustration, and asked the obvious: why didn't you just tell me no?

Because of the above.

He made a phone call and somehow everything was rearranged.

But was this the compassionate thing to do? Compassion for whom?? They have another place to stay, but...

Still feel awful.