The Ability to "Receive"

I don't know what kind of person you are, but I am one who enjoys giving. Even though I don't have much, monitarily, I have a big heart that I try to give away each and every day to someone, through a kind word of encouragement or praise. Everyone loves to receive a compliment or a kind word, and it's truly amazing the way you can change a person's day and even life by simply being kind.

Well, I found this photograph of an old church. It has obviously lived out it's better days and is now in a state of decline and abandonment. Surrounded by a thicket of overgrowth and lost pathways, I look at this photograph and try to envision what it must have been like during it's hayday. I can almost hear the preacher as he stands with firmness and clarity at his podium on his platform, with a small choir behind him, "You must be givers, just as God wants you to be. Give to the poor. Give to the needy. Give to your neighbor, so that God may reward you in His time."

What a wonderful notion to be a giver. To feel that great feeling of appreciation when doing something for someone else. It's what I enjoy doing. Maybe I'm selfish, because I like the way I feel when I give to others.

But every so often I have to learn a lesson about giving. Now what lesson could be learned by giving? Well, that lesson is that every once in awhile I must step back and allow someone else to give and that I must receive.

How do you feel when you receive? Do you like to get what you can get? Or, do you feel uncomfortable, or maybe even that you must immediately out give your giver? All of this giving stuff can get quite complicated if we don't realize a few simple things.

It is of great importance that we all take a moment and step back and realize that if someone wants to give us something, we must be gracious, accepting, kind and sincere. If we go into receiving with the wrong attitude we could very well rob the giver of the blessing that they so deserve by their kind and generous act. Sometimes the best thing that we can do for the giver is to tell them 'thank you' and to truly mean it from one's heart. If we cannot learn to occassionally be the receiver then truly what is the quality of our very own giving?

Think about it. And the next time someone does a kindness for you, look them in the eye, if you can or send them an email and tell them with every ounce of graciousness and appreciation that you can, "Thank you!"

Sisters

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the Responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her Glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. 'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.' 'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.' What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned: THIS SAYS IT ALL: Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don't do what they're supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end. BUT......... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are betw een you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful. I just did. Short and very sweet: There are more than twenty angels in this world. Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are playing. And one is reading her email at this moment. AUTOHOR UNKNOWN

Portrait of a Hero

His name is Javier and he is a parachuter for the United States Army. A native Puerto Rican and full of pride for his home and all of America, Javier joined the military and was called to serve in Iraq. While on a mission with two of his comrads in November of 2007 there was an explosion. The blast was so severe that it took the lives of both his fellow troops and severely burned Javier. As you can see, Javier has suffered greatly as a result of this tragic day in Iraq. He received the Purple Heart for his efforts in the fight for freedom and has spent much of his life since in the hospital with surgeries and skin grafts. Javier is by no means out of the woods. He has months and months of continued medical care ahead of him, not to mention pain and suffering. Javier has lost his ears, part of his fingers, and needs extensive medical treatment. This is no cake walk for this brave military man of the ripe old age of twenty one. Yet, without reserve or hesitation, Javier wants to recover sufficently so that one day if it is necessary he can return to Iraq or to active duty and continue his mission with the Army. He doesn't want pity from anyone and has made that clear to his family and friends.

When I heard about Javier and saw his photographs I broke down and cried. I've never met Javier and probably never will. Yet I feel like I have known him and all of the troops in my heart for a very long time. I am a mother and a grandmother, and we have big hearts for all of our youth wherevever they may be and whoever they may belong too. So I cried for Javier, but then I realized something. Javier doesn't want my tears. He doesn't want anyone's tears. He wants to pick himself up, get himself well, and do what he loves in this life to be in service to others. Javier IS a hero in every sense of the word and more.

When I look into Javier's eyes I see a pride that gleams out and shines across the universe. I see a human being that truly has a great love for all, his country, the world, and all people. I'm glad that Javier's life has touched mine, even though we have never met. He is a hero to me and I could not be more proud of him. God Bless you, Javier. You are the very BEST of the BEST!