How much to care?

For the last few years, I have been on a journey of learning compassion. For a long time mercy was my lowest ranking on any spiritual gift inventory. Now, because of several cases of life teaching me a lesson, I'm doing a bit better.
Which brings me to my job, the one that pays the bills. Part of my job is to drive out to properties with delinquent taxes and leave tax statements and notes to pay the taxes or the property might be sold. More often than not, the people are not there, but the trappings of their lives are. I often see remnants of beer cans and boxes, some sort of grill, cars in various states of 'repair.' Some homes have cutesy little signs, some appear to be vacant, if not for the fact that a large pit bull, or pack of pits, is tugging violently on its chain in an attempt to, I guess, eat me.
But its when I notice something else that is common at these homes that my heart begins to break. Toys. And I think of my own daughters, and how they view me. Most often, I think they really like me, and if preschoolers had a word for it respect, that might be what they used. I think most small children have that concept down, and lose it as they grow taller and 'wiser.' So I think about these homes, with their toys and signs and beer cans, I wonder how much those kids understand about their parents failings. Do they know dad can't keep a job because of those beer cans, or that mom lies, or that neither parents have paid taxes in 5 years? But the light quickly falls on me, and I wonder what my children would think if they knew the wickedness in me. The selfishness, lust, anger, or laziness that is at war with person I want to be, need to be, in Christ.
As I put that note in their door, I am humbled, because when I see these people struggle with the difficulties of life, or their sin, or whatever it is that has led them to the situation that now brings me to their house, I see the falleness of us all. This is not how it was supposed to be. And I know that He is coming to make it alright, but there are times, I really wish He'd hurry.