She slipped me the envelope this morning as we crossed paths at church and said, “I’m so embarrassed; this is something I was given to pass onto you, but I’ve had it for the past year and forgot about it until I switched handbags today and found it!”
When I got home I opened what I thought was a letter, but out fell a gift voucher and a little note saying “You have been thought of and prayed for over the last 18 months“.
What?
I looked at the date that the gift voucher was purchased. November 2021. Right bang when I had finished chemo and was waiting to start radiation.
Unknown to me until today, a group of parents at the school where I used to work had organised this gift voucher and had been praying for me during my cancer treatment last year.
Wow.
I felt humbled, grateful, and amazed all at the same time. Then the thought crossed my mind “I don’t really need this; I’m no longer in treatment. I should give it back.”
Why is it so hard to receive? If I said I didn’t need the gift voucher wouldn’t I be negating the blessing it brought those beautiful ladies to organise it, the prayers that accompanied it, and their time?
God reminded me that I was blessed to be a blessing, and perhaps I could prayerfully use this voucher to purchase gifts to bless others?
So I chose to write a grateful and heartfelt “thank you” in reply.
What is it that you find hard to receive?
A compliment?
A word of advice from someone who cares?
A hug?
Forgiveness?
Help?
In God’s kingdom, receiving is foundational. Our Christian walk begins with receiving the free gift of salvation found only in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who freely gave His life so that we may live.
When we understand and receive God’s love and forgiveness, that means we now have the capacity to truly love and forgive others, even the unlovable. Of course, we are a work in progress. But because we have freely received, we can freely give.
Yes, it is more blessed to give than to receive. But many times it is also necessary to receive in order to bless!
Jo 🙂
©2022. Quietly Roaring. All Rights Reserved.
Quietly Roaring 
I am always awkward at receiving compliments. I realise that I do want to be acknowledged but when given a compliment I try to deflect or minimise what I did to elicit the compliment.
I am trying to just say thank you and be grateful for the encouragement.
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Here’s a compliment for you right now, just so you can practice…😉
Manu, you’re a wonderful teacher of God’s Word, I am enjoying reading your excellent series on the book of Numbers. You have a way of explaining that offers a fresh perspective every time. Thankyou! 👍
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Oh Jo! You made me smile and thank you for your kind and encouraging words 🤗💙
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I agree with Jo, Manu! You bring me joy with your encouragement and sincerity.
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Ditto Manu’s comment.
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It seems a common thing!
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This resonates, Jo. ❤️
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❤️🙏
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Thank you for sharing this , Jo. I’m struggling to forgive someone who has hurt me. Your post is a reminder that we all have “feet of clay.” God freely gives His grace to us, so we must extend it to others. God Bless!
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That can be a hard struggle, may God give you His grace today David. Blessings.
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Such a great post and it gives me much to think about. When you asked what is difficult for us to receive, numerous things came to mind. You are right, many times we most enjoy being the giver. But we should learn to receive as well. Funny how a gift or a compliment can bless not only the recipient, but the giver too.
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Thanks for joining the conversation Bridget! I too think being the giver is often easier.
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For me, receiving anything…a compliment, food when we’re sick, a ride somewhere…is a humbling experience. I would far rather be the one doing the giving. I feel so blessed when I do the giving. I know that the blessing I get in the receiving is also important, and of equal importance is that it’s a good thing to allow the person helping me to also receive that special blessing. Thank you, Jo, for the sweet way you presented this truth.
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Yes, it sure is humbling! If I’m honest, it’s my pride that gets in the way of receiving…and like you Patty I much prefer being the giver! Blessings to you and yours today.
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Yes, I know for me it’s an issue of pride. It’s interesting how that works, isn’t it? Blessings!
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Jo, I love your decision to receive the gift with the intent of passing the blessing forward. It perfectly illustrates you closing words, “Many times it is also necessary to receive in order to bless!” I much prefer to on the giving than receiving end, so your post has given me a new perspective on receiving.
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Hi Beth, your comment for some reason went to my spam, and I’ve just retrieved it.
The common theme seems to be that we all find it easier to give. Yet as a parent it blesses me when my child receives something with gratefulness, so it must bless God too! 🙂 I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
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I can identify with this post, Jo. I can think of several instances when it was difficult to receive. But I’ve learned to graciously accept the compliment, gift, or service and express sincere gratitude with a handwritten note to follow.
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For sure, that’s the best way! Thanks for sharing your experience Manette. 🙌
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Long ago when I struggled to receive an extravagant gift from a friend she quoted to me from Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Then she told me (with a twinkle in her eye), “If you don’t receive, I won’t receive a blessing. You wouldn’t want that to happen, would you?” With that thought in mind, it’s a bit easier to be a receiver!
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Nancy what a great story! It captures perfectly how the blessing can flow both ways. Thankyou for sharing! 💕
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Isn’t it amazing that you were being prayed for and thought about in such a special way? How often do we wonder if anyone prays for us? Real touching…
May God help us as we continue to uncover the pride in us. Ever so often it comes masked. You did well!
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Thanks Marcia, yes, it is amazing, and felt very humbling! 🙌
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