Christmas has ended and our 12 Days of Giving for 2009 is done. We didn't manage to get EVERYTHING on our list done, but we ended up doing 3-4 other things that weren't on there, so I think it all evens out in the end.
It's wonderful to be able to give, isn't it? To give your time, your possessions, your money - whatever - it just creates a warm feeling inside a person.
A couple of times this year, our attempts to give were thwarted by people who were too proud to accept or didn't want to play along. A dear friend of mine that was named Evie used to always say, "Receiving is a discipleship." To which she meant that you have to WORK at being a good receiver. You rob other people of blessings when you don't allow them to give to you or o for you. When you're too proud or embarrassed or grumpy and you turn away those that seek to bless you? You are stealing from them the chance to have that warm feeling bloom inside of them. Be humble enough and grateful enough to just let people love you.
It's wonderful to give and it's wonderful to receive because in both cases there are blessings that abound.
May you all be as blessed as we have been in our lives.
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10 comments:
Thanks for sharing this great idea with us! I didn't get around to doing it this year...but it will be on our list of things to do next year for sure!
Very well said. It kind of irks me when people can't graciously receive. I try to be gracious in it, but I really love giving. It all balances out for me. And, yes, it makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. :-)
It took me a while to understand this concept, heck I am still working on it!
Your friend sounds very wise!
With the birth of my first daughter people were always offering to help, cook, clean, whatever. I usually turned them down. Recently with my second I took all the help that was offered. And boy was it a blessing:)
That is so true...you do rob people of blessings when you do not receive what is being given and vice versa. Sometimes I find giving anonymously is better.
Congratulations on a successful giving season:-)
Heidi...I've missed you! I don't know how I lost track of coming here...but I'm back!
This is a perfect post! It is hard to humble ourselves and accept the service of others. But it is important to be good receivers as well as givers!
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
We almost have ours all wrapped up too! Thanks for the inspiration. It has been fun!
I think it is a great message to send your kids (and mine too for that matter) I love that you guys did so many things! We are all blessed and sometimes it is easier to focus on what we think we DONT have but your attitude is sooo right!
Way to go Sacred and Profane family!!! ;)
Yes, giving is fantastic. It always feels great.
I/we are so doing this next year!
We gave gloves, blankets and McDonalds money to the homeless yesterday and old towels to the animal shelter. The feeling that my girls and I came away with from doing that was priceless. I cannot imagine doing something like 11 more times! I think we may burst from all of the joy!
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