On The Damascus Road/Receiving from Others

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On The Damascus Road
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Receiving from Others
     Being on the receiving end is not easy for a lot of us. I learned that recently when people volunteered their time helping our daughter move into her dorm at college.
     While it may be more "blessed to give than to receive," blessed is the receiver who can accept the gestures of others graciously. Children generally do very well at this: eagerly they tear into a gift. Joyously they pull out the item (unless they have become too jaded by receiving too many things, but that is another article). They put on a clothing gift and wear it instantly, put a toy to use, or run with it celebrating around the room.
     When we receive help from others, it also teaches us how to do a better job of giving to others.
     A man was sitting in a hospital waiting room. Tears rolled down his cheeks, and he sat sobbing with his head in his hands. The others in the waiting room shifted uncomfortably. They were also under emotional stress, with loved ones in the hospital. They were not sure what to do about the man's grief. A small child squirmed loose from her mother's arms and wandered around the room.
     The tired mother does little to constrain the child, who explores the magazines, the ashtray, and the water fountain. The twenty people in the room discover that it is easier to focus on this curious child than to deal with the sobbing old man. The toddler stops in front of him. She looks intently into his face, and tears just continue to roll down his face.
     The waiting room becomes silent. All eyes focus on the man and the young child. Why can't she see that the man needs to be left alone? Where is the mother? Before she can intervene, the child reaches out to the man's face, wiping the tears with her hands. "All right, all right, all right," she says gently. The man opens his eyes. The shape of his mouth begins to change. He gazes at the little girl, then gently catches her hand between his wrinkled fingers and kisses it. (Paraphrased from The Ministry of the Child, by Dennis Benson and Stan Stewart, Abingdon, out of print).
     Thank God the man was a gracious receiver. Are there ways we need to do a better job of allowing others to give to us? Not for selfish reasons, but by receiving love and care, it changes us, and makes us more giving too.
Contributed by Melodie Davis from her weekly column ANOTHER WAY. For information on using Another Way in a local newspaper, contact: ANOTHER WAY, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801-2497; or call 1-800-999-3534; fax at 540-434-5556; or contact me by email

Originally appeared on Daily Wisdom

    Jesus is standing at the door to your heart all the time. He is knocking to come in and love you and guide you. He is offering you the gift of everlasting life, but you must hear Him and open the door to Him as He will not kick it in. (Rev. 3:20) A gift is just outside your heart's door at this time. Will you receive this gift? Will you open the door to Jesus and let him flood your soul with His love? If so, read the following paragraph as your prayer.

    Father, I know that I have sinned and I turn from those ways and ask you to come into my heart and cleanse me. I know that I cannot do this on my own and I need your help. Fill my soul, Lord, and make me whole. I want your will for my life to be preeminent. Help me to grow in your way. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus.
    Amen

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