Gracious Acceptance

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."  Galatians 6:10

For as long as I can remember, my brother has helped others.  Family, friends, neighbors, strangers.  Now that he is Retired, he fills his days helping his neighbors.  When he mows his lawn, he will mow the lawn of his neighbors.  When he places his trash receptacle at the curb, he does the same thing for his neighbors. Whether it's raking and blowing leaves, picking up scattered trash, or just taking the time to talk with them, he is a blessing to all those around him.

My brother helps his neighbors because he loves His Lord, with no thought for receiving anything in return; that's why the other day he was kind of caught off guard.  He texted me to tell me that while he was out leaf vacuuming from one end of the street to the other, one of his neighbors just got back from the grocery store and had bought a $90 prime rib as a gift to him in appreciation for all he does for her and all their neighbors.  At first, he told her that he just liked helping people; when he sees a need he just likes to take care of it, and that her gift to him was too much. 

But she insisted, so in humble gratitude, he thanked her.

I told my brother that by receiving this gift, he blessed the giver. 

I would never want someone to refuse a gift from me, so why would I want to refuse a gift from them?

The next time someone wants to bless you, let them...

    if you don't, you will be robbing them of a blessing...

            But that's just me!

"Gracious acceptance is an art-an art which most never bother to cultivate. We think that we have to learn how to give, but we forget about accepting things, which can be much harder than giving.  Accepting another person's gift is allowing them to express their feelings for you."

Alexander McCall