Think About It

Over the last few days we have been looking for a place to take relief supplies to the Southeast part of the U. S.  First, let me tell you just how impressed I am of our fellow Americans.  You might not believe it, but in just about every instance people – especially churches – are saying they are filled to overflowing with stuff.  Many of them say they could use workers, but most of them asked that we didn’t bring supplies to them.  Folks, that is incredible news and highlights the generosity of our neighbors!   As I went through this process it did provide me with a reminder of how important it is to be both a giver and a receiver.  So often, we focus on the need to give, but there is another side to this equation.  To enable giving, we must be willing to accept the gift.  Many of us grew up in a time when it was uncool to accept something from others.  Some of us were taught that accepting charity was a sign of weakness.    As I thought about this, I was reminded of something that t