My Christmas Confession…
So, I am used to being on the giving side of things and it is difficult for me to accept help. Because of the way I grew up and the life I’ve lived, I have had to be very independent and learn to do most things on my own. This has never bothered me and I’ve never thought much of it…
until I have had to be the one on the receiving end.
Being on the receiving end off gifts, out of need or necessity, can be much different than accepting them because it’s a holiday or special occasion. Whenever I find myself in this extremely humbling position, I must admit, it is a struggle for me. And while I don’t always like it, I try to remember and realize it’s just another area where I can become more Christ like. My personal struggle with it reveals an area of selfish pride that’s in me and I know He wants me to work on it. So, I try my best to develop a grateful attitude for the opportunity, as I allow Him to refine this part of my character even more.
What else does it teach me? It has helped me learn and realize that it is simply impossible to bless someone who is always keeping score. Think about that one for a moment…
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BLESS SOMEONE WHO IS ALWAYS KEEPING SCORE!
Have you ever been given a gift or accepted someone’s help only to feel an internal drive that you had to pay it back in some way? Are you always looking for ways afterwards to balance the scales in your mind? I am like that. In part, I’m sure this comes from being surrounded by so many individuals in my lifetime who believed in “conditional love.” But also, I always thought it to be a good quality, because I was demonstrating the type of character that wanted you to realize that I don’t take anything for granted, I won’t ever abuse or take advantage of people, nor am I looking for a free ride (there is too much of that in the world!)
LET ME BLESS YOU!
Instead, even personal experiences have shown me that as I may try to bless another person who is not yet able to graciously receive it, it can make the experience frustrating. It can even become a chore or hassle to try to give or bless that person and those are not fruits of the spirit!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
So, how do we bear good fruits instead?
By learning to receive with the same characteristics in which we give.
GIVE WITH JOY! RECIEVE WITH JOY!
We might say a true “gift” or “blessing” is comparable to mercy or grace, in the idea that it is freely given. I am learning that one of the most sincerest ways to give back, is by merely and graciously accepting the gift with JOY! This gives back so much that is “sublime” to the giver and they are blessed in return :) How awesome! Then as we are able to and without obligation, we can pass blessings along to someone else who needs help, according to the individual gifts each of us has that we can share.
All of that being said my friends…
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
And a HUGE…
Jessie Jeanine 
December 23, 2011 at 7:02 am
Thank you for the reminder to be a gracious and joyful receiver and so by doing, bless the giver! :) God bless you and a Merry Christmas too!
December 23, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Blessings and Merry Christmas to you as well, friend!
December 23, 2011 at 5:12 am
HEY JESSIE HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU! I NOMINATED YOU FOR AWARD, SO DO CHECK MY BLOG OUT WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE. GOD BLESS :)
December 23, 2011 at 11:18 pm
My precious friend, thank you so much! I checked out your site and graciously accept your nomination. I pray you have a beautiful and joyous Christmas!
Please be patient with me though everyone, as I’ll need to get caught up after the holidays again :)
December 21, 2011 at 7:07 am
the worship leader in my church is a well to do guy… but I noticed that his wallet is a little beat up and old. So I told my wife that I am going to get him a new wallet for christmas. Well she told me not to because he will feel obligated to give back to me. And since he is rich he may feel that I want something from him. What do you think?
December 24, 2011 at 1:43 am
Hmmm… what a great scenerio you give us to think about Walter ~ thank you.
Personally, I think what I’m finding is that if another person tries to bless me (no strings attached) and I’m not willing or unable to receive, it is MY short coming, and not theirs. In my own example, if it weren’t for others blessing me in the ways that they have, I would not have realized just how difficult it is for me to receive. I would have not have realized it stems from a root of selfish pride. And I wouldn’t have the opportunity to work on it and hopefully change my way of thinking to become more Christ like. Another words, if I cannot receive with the same kind of joy as I give with, then I have a problem, and vice-versa. I am grateful for these opportunities (although, I don’t always like them) but there are those who will not see it as such or take advantage of it as a learning experience. In hind sight, you may be the very blessing another person needs without even realizing it :)
What does everyone else think about this?
December 21, 2011 at 5:42 am
“It is impossible to bless someone who is always keeping score.” WOW! How true! and how I wish I’d written that.
It’s also impossible to be blessed when we keep score. Then life becomes about paybacks.
I’m so glad that my Saviour doesn’t keep score.
December 23, 2011 at 11:29 pm
“It’s also impossible to be blessed when we keep score. Then life becomes about paybacks.”
Very true indeed and well written! Thank you for leaving this comment, as I wish I’d added it to the post myself :) Many blessings to you!
December 20, 2011 at 7:31 pm
So grateful for your reminder not to keep score! Giving with joy, receiving with joy: such a perfect formula for daily living as His children!
December 20, 2011 at 8:18 pm
It really is and what a lesson! How wise our wonderful Father is in how we can learn from life and each other :)
December 20, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Hello again! I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. I honor and salute you and your work. To learn what to do next, follow this link.. http://wp.me/pGRsE-lx,
blessing to you for this special insight
All love to you,
Linda Willows
December 20, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I am very honored my friend and thank you so much. However, I have already received this award :) Congratulations on receiving it yourself and many blessings for the holidays!
December 20, 2011 at 6:29 am
It is clear that a lot of people struggle with this, I struggle, I don’t like accepting gifts if i know i can give nothing in return, and I also dont like accepting compliments etc its hard i suppose it boils down to the way we grow up.
but hey we work on it and it will get better, thank you for a great post
December 20, 2011 at 6:39 am
I appreciate your visit and sharing your thoughts :) I think it’s good to strive to be a better person everyday than we were the day before. Happy Holidays!
December 20, 2011 at 2:31 am
I too USED to struggle with this. It takes time Jessie but eventually you learn how to recieve as easily as you can give. It does not come over night. Take what I did at the church all last week. I gave of my time, my love, my labor and I recieved many compliments, hugs, and thank you’s. On top of that I recieved the greatest feeling of peace and contentment inside. There was a time I could not recieve it or enjoy it when it came. But over time, God taught me they are one in the same. We are all connected in one way or another. So tho I may give to someone in one way, I am actually recieving from another person in another way. Merry Christmas dear.
December 20, 2011 at 2:55 am
“God taught me they are one in the same… So tho I may give to someone in one way, I am actually recieving from another person in another way.”
Wow, I love how you worded this! It helps simplify my own perspective and makes it even easier to grab onto ~ thank you so much for sharing. Although not always enjoyable, being a work in progress is such a beautiful thing! Merry Christmas to you as well, my friend :)
December 20, 2011 at 1:48 am
Joy to the world the Lord has come, lets receive Him and others with Love… great message Jessie and very much straight from your heart. and so True.
You have given me much Joy Jessie since our lives touched and even if we never meet on this earth the memory of your warmth and acceptance will always be in my heart as I’m sure it will be in many others.
Christian Blessings to you and your Loved ones and may the Beauty of Christmas past and the Joy of Christmas present, fill your heart with Love that overflows all year. Christmas Love Anne.
December 20, 2011 at 3:04 am
Thank you for such kind words from your heart Anne :) Christmas wishes, warm thoughts and Christian love to you as well.
December 20, 2011 at 12:29 am
“So, how do we bear good fruits instead? By learning to receive with the same characteristics in which we give.”
Thank you for some great insight in this area. I too struggle with people giving me gifts. I guess I feel I’m not worthy? Probably….but I want to do what you said, I give with joy so I must receive with joy. Thanks Jessie!
December 20, 2011 at 2:23 am
I appreciate your comment and you’re not alone in feeling as if you’re not worthy at times to receive gifts or blessings. It’s something I struggle with too, but I recognize that way of thinking mostly comes from my past (abusers, abandonment, low self esteem, etc.) I also still have a hard time accepting compliments. I do my best though to focus on what God says about me ~ I choose to believe Him and not man, regardless of how I might feel. Many blessings to you my friend and warm holiday wishes!