August 22
Scripture: Phil 4:17
Source author: Jeanette Gardner Littleton
August 22
When It’s More Blessed to Receive I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. —Philippians 4:17
I think you might have hurt your dad’s feelings,” my husband, Mark, told me one night after we’d gone out to dinner with my dad and his girlfriend, our kids in tow. “What did I do?” I asked. “Well, your dad wanted to pay for the meal, but you insisted on picking up the check,” Mark explained. “I think that hurts his feelings and his pride.” “But he’s on a fixed income,” I said. “And besides, there are five of us and only two of them—well, four of us,” I amended, realizing that our toddler usually ate from my plate. “Yes, but your dad wants to. It’s a gift of love. You need to learn to receive.” Mark hit a nail on the head there. It’s always been easier for me to be the person to treat another—instead of being the one treated. But I’m learning when we deny another person the opportunity to give, we often end up depriving them of a blessing.
Sometimes the best way to exchange love is to graciously receive a gift. — Jeanette Gardner Littleton —