October 25, 2018

Give and Receive

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

– Galatians 6:2

I am amazed. Thankful. Beyond grateful. Friends arrived to help me clear trees from the last two fence lines. They were amazing.

I didn’t ask for help. I have that pride thing going when it comes to that. I know. I’m working on it. I just don’t want to be a burden to anyone so I try really hard to handle things on my own. They came anyway.

It’s amazing how several people can quickly accomplish what it would take one person hours and hours to do. I think God always knew we’d need each other. He wanted us to reach out, to help, to live lives focused somewhere besides on ourselves.

We’ve seen a lot of reaching out lately in our part of the world. The aftermath of Hurricane Michael is just a news blurb for most people now. But for the victims, well, the nightmare has only just begun. The need is great.

People show up every day with food and water. They donate clothes and shoes, toys and diapers, towels and pillows. They come with chainsaws and work gloves, and buckets filled with cleaning supplies. Because these people need more than prayers. They need the hands and feet of God’s people.

We all need help at some time in our lives. Several years ago a sweet woman brought her three children to church every Sunday. Her son was in elementary school and she had twin infant daughters. They lived in a rural area. Her husband was deployed – again. She worked a fulltime job. She was overwhelmed. But she came to church. Why? Because for a couple of hours a week she could turn her babies over to the loving and capable ladies who volunteered in the nursery and soak in the peace of Christ.

One Saturday, the youth and several adults went to her house. They mowed and pulled weeds. They trimmed back trees and did numerous handyman chores. They did the things her husband would have done if he hadn’t been serving in a war zone. She was overwhelmed with gratitude.

Surely, she needed our prayers. And we all did pray for her and her children. But she needed help, the kind of help that shows up to rock babies and do yardwork.

Prayer is so very powerful. It’s our first line of defense and our first source of wisdom and direction. But don’t let it be your only outlet when it comes to serving others. Sometimes we all need to feel the physical presence of Jesus, as shown to us through the hands and feet of His people.

There’s a time to give and a time to receive. So give of yourself, your time, your efforts and, when your circumstances change, receive with gratitude and grace the offerings from others.

March 26, 2015

Family Is To Give And Receive

 

Pride goes before destruction,

a haughty spirit before a fall.

-- Proverbs 16:18

How much pride do you have? We think of pride in a job well done. We consider those who are haughty with pride because of their family name or money. We remember those who have pride in their children, their business, their homes and other possessions.

But what about when our pride, our determination to do it alone, keeps others from helping us when we really need the help? It is so much easier to give than receive. We know that. But there is a season for both.

A sweet family I know is dealing with an unexpected death and funeral expenses they weren't prepared to pay. This follows a six week illness and travel to and from a hospital three hours away. The bills have mounted even as they've had to miss work again and again. They need help but are reluctant to accept it.

They have asked for contributions toward the funeral rather than flowers. They are selling personal items. And they are refusing help from their church. Pride is such an awful thing sometimes.

We are helping anyway, those of us who care. We were horrified that they were going to provide their own food for after the service. Nope. Not at our church. We do that for our church family. They are grateful and amazed. How can they not know how much we care?

And we are giving them money, little bits at a time. They need it and we will contribute what we can in such a way that they can't say no.

Here's the thing about our church family: Everyone needs sometimes and everyone gives sometimes. That means that right now is their turn to receive. Later on, they'll have the opportunity to take food or give money or whatever someone else needs. It's just how family works.