April 2nd, 2008
…something i’ve been thinking about
here’s a thought that i’ve been wrestling with lately…
at what point, when something is being offered to you, do you stop saying;
“there are people out there who need this much more than me, why do i deserve it? why should i take it?”
is it pride? is it a weird sense of altruism?
if a free gift was being offered to YOU… that you know you can afford (yet, you know it would help you out exponentially), would you take it?
I think it is harder many times to receive than it is to give. I think it is a boundary issue, just like people that have a hard time saying “no.” I think this comes from a good place, but it is important for us to give graciously and so it is just as important for us to learn how to receive graciously. Grace goes both ways! I am just getting to a point in my life where I am learning to receive graciously because when I receive it is giving someone else the joy of giving. In a way I think of it as reverse giving. The giver doesn’t just want to give it, he or she wants to give it to YOU. Giving it to you means something to them and you are giving them the opportunity to do it. In my opinion, the Kingdom of God is dependent upon people giving and for people to give, people have to receive. I feel your pain and this is something that I am working through as well! You are a very kind hearted and generous person! I think that this can be a pride issue, but not always in a bad way. It can come from a good place, but still be an issue that needs working through… you really got me thinking, sorry this is so long. Thanks for the food for thought!
I’m big into not taking a blessing away from someone else. If they wish to bless you, graciously accept. Just remember to pay it forward as often as possible.
I guess the main question I would ask is, Is it something that I want? If yes, TAKE IT. If no, pass. If I could take it or leave it, I might either take it and regift it (so to speak) or probably pass on it.
Hope that helps.
thanks for the thoughts guys.