I have been sad that I cannot participate in all the wonderful Thanksgiving outreach projects that my church does. We plan to feed 5500 on 11 different sites. We've had 804 turkeys donated, with all the makings to make a delicious dinner. Tomorrow volunteers will take groceries to many homes and the cooking will also begin to be ready to feel on Thursday.
I have been watching all the activity through Facebook and feeling a bit sorry for myself because I cannot participate in the season of giving. It's my favorite time of year!
Then it dawned on me: I am sitting here in my living room waiting on some wonderful friends from my Life Group to deliver a meal for our family. They have been bringing supper since I got out of the hospital. I am actually on the receiving end of the giving for the first time.
I feel so blessed by this group of people wanting to take care of my family and showing us so much love. Just as I get enjoyment out of giving, so they feel blessed to serve ME. It is a humbling and grateful place to be.
I am thankful to God for the benign result, for my friends for praying and loving on me, and for my family for being so incredible. My husband has been so attentitive: praying me through a high blood pressure attack, holding my puke bucket etc etc. My sister sat in the hospital room for thirty hours demanding pain medication for my anesthesia induced migraine when the nurses were slow on getting it. And, my mom flew from Kentucky to take care of me. I feel blessed!
I'm on the receiving end this year!
That is my heart: humbled and thankful. Please link below and tell me what is on your heart today.
Although not required, I kindly ask that you link back to this post to help grow the community.
Shanda:
ReplyDeleteWhen someone is accustomed to being on the giving end, it's hard to sit back and be on the receiving end. However, it is such a blessing to have caring friends and family who pour into us during times of need.
Blessings,
Joan
I am so glad you are doing better. The first 2 weeks after surgery are tough but thankfully our body does heal.. I just linked up a post about "making disciples"...some thoughts from a great preacher that we had visit our church. Get better soon!
ReplyDeleteso glad you are doing better and that you got the wonderful word, benign. god is good.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I am praising our Father for "benign". Friend, it's your turn now to be blessed by others. You have made giving your lifesong and now it's time to receive, even though it's hard. Let your friends and family reap a harvest of blessing by serving you.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda - I think givers find it very hard to receive. But sometimes we lose a blessing in the receiving and sometimes we steal the blessing of the giver but not letting them. So glad you are receiving! Be blessed
ReplyDeleteTracy
We all have so much to be THANKful for each and every day. One of my blessings is finding your site!! You are such an inspiration. I'm so glad you got a good report. HOPE you have a wonderful THANKSgiving with your family!!!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful all is well and that you are blessed with a community of love...
ReplyDeleteBlessings as you are a receiver...
Shanda people who serve all the time do find it strange to receive and I want to encourage you to rest and lean into the people around you and especially lean into Our Lord. Let Him restore you to your fullness and He is doing that by sending you His people. We are told "BE STILL" sometimes and busy people struggle with that....lots of love
ReplyDeleteso happy for your good news! i know how difficult it is to simply receive. don't deny the gift to others in their giving. receive as graciously as you always give.
ReplyDeleteenjoy this time of respite. just be. and along with you, giving thanks for His goodness and faithfulness along the path.
steph
Shanda, I was so pleased to hear of your benign test results. Now I am glad to hear that you have been well-loved and taken care of. Rejoicing with you this Thanksgiving week!
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda,
ReplyDeleteWhat a well deserved blessing you are receiving from your family and friends! It will make "giving" all the more precious to you when you are well and back on your feet.
Enjoy all the wonderful care you are getting, and have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Denise
God knows sometimes we need to be on the receiving end. Of course, we are always on the receiving end of His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness. But He also provides friends and family for time such as this. Many blessings!
ReplyDeletePRAISE GOD...what a wonderful report! And you just receive...it seems that the people who give of themselves the most have a hard time receiving...receive...let God pour His love on you as you heal!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter said something to me the other day and I said "no" and she turned and said, "Mom this is a gift (it was a word gift) and you receive it, you don't reject it!" I turned and received.
So thankful God has supplied you with a support system during this time.
Hugs and Healing in Jesus Name
Been praying for you and so glad to hear the report. Now take care of yourself so you can fully recover. Praise God!
ReplyDeleteIt takes so much grace to be on the receiving end...to humbly accept with thanksgiving and not bemoan and pine away for what is not.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful it all went well...except for the puking part...but hopefully you got it inside the bucket, so that part did go well after all.
This is my first time here so I don't really know the full story. But I did enjoy reading your post. Life is a give and take, and it is always good to experience both sides of the spectrum. To be willing to receive is a humbling act...
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving! I know it will be just as meaningful for you as the previous years have been...
There is a season to give, and there is a season to receive...
How wise God is to bring us through different seasons!
This is our first time doing a blog hop! Heal well, and remember that a great gift you can always give is prayer. Happy Thanksgiving, Shanda.
ReplyDeleteDear Shanda, It is blessed both to receive and to give. Praise God that He provides for all our needs, often through the good works of others, and that He also gives us opportunities to give. You are giving more than you realize this season by encouraging others through your writing and your blog. May you continue to have a speedy recovery and a blessed Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Being on the receiving end is an entirely different feeling. Most people find it difficult, thank you for being such a good receiver. It makes such a difference to the givers. Blessings and Hugs to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteShanda,
ReplyDeleteI've been praying for you and am glad that you are starting to feel better. You are a servant of God and you have blessed so many people with your works. He wants to bless you and let you be on the receiving end for a change! Thank you for all that you do and for all that you will do!!
I love you!
~Erin
So glad to know you are being well cared for and feeling better. To be on the receiving end of such grace is indeed a blessing. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I do not know what happened but my link got added twice. Sorry about that. :)
Good for you to be able to recognize and benefit from both giving and receiving.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better. It is easier for me to give than receive as well, but what a blessing to have this epiphany of how loved you are!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon - and I love it that God's got people - people who love on us when we need it!!! Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!
ReplyDelete