Better to Give

I, like many others, always thought the phrase "better to give than receive" was about the giving part. That it meant we should be cheerful givers and be thinking more about others than ourselves. That we should look for ways to give and not expect anything back. That it's about changing our hearts to be less focused on our treasures here on earth. While I think all of this is true & right, I believe that for the last 47 years, I have missed the point.

The past 10 days, I have had to ask for & receive help. This is not a position I am used to. We are financially blessed, healthy and generally want nor need for anything. This past week as our family changed, I humbled myself in ways I had never been able to before and received from people - and it was much harder to receive than it ever was to give. I have much more trouble receiving than giving - so "it's better to give than receive" sure is true for me. It's easier to do & does not require me to show my vulnerability or my weaknesses. But God wants me to show that - so He can work in me through others around me. He wants me to admit my short comings and remember that I need Him and the body of Christ. That on my own - I can do nothing, but through Him, all things are possible.

My friend Lisa fasted and prayed for us. Every morning, I wake up to amazing scriptures and a devotional that she has written just for me. Now, this friend had 5 or 6 small children at home so it's not like she has a lot of free time. Yet she has chosen to give me a great gift. My first thought was "what can I do to say thanks? to repay her this kindness?" But God doesn't want me there; He wants me to accept her gift - to grow from it and to humbly say "thank you". To Kim, who has kept this journal updated for us. To the people who want to bring us meals when get home. To the people in our travel group who have gone above & beyond to help us. To all those who have prayed without ceasing while we are here. To those who walked my dog and fed my family while I was gone. Thank you. It doesn't seem like enough - but it's exactly what God wants to hear from me.