Poppy seed chicken noodle casserole, strawberry fluff dessert, and homemade bread had been stowed away in our car after church for our Sunday noon meal. To say it was the best thing I’ve eaten in a while is an understatement! It was positively delicious.
But what made it taste even better was that it came from a very special lady. She found out that, yes, once again I was vomiting so badly on Friday that I couldn’t even drive our kiddos to school. And so offered to make our lunch for us.
This is the same friend who drove me to my first ultrasound, scared and sick that I was. Then after we see the heartbeat, she proceeds to tell me she is due only 2 days before me! She made sure I got a good report before telling me about her baby. I cannot tell you how small, loved, and humbled that made me feel.
It seems I’ve been on the receiving end of “….it is more blessed to give than to receive”. Acts 20:35b This verse is one that I’d much, much rather be on the giving end than to be the one receiving the giving. There is something very humbling about having to accept a gift someone gives. It also leaves you feeling very loved!
For the past 2 1/2 months, my children have made me realize how much I need them. With having morning sickness and the stomach flu, I’ve had to give many requests from my chair. Folding laundry, washing windows, emptying the dishwasher, picking up toys, fetching me a bucket, hanging up clothes, emptying trash, cleaning toilets. These were all things they used to help me with, not be totally in charge of some days.
I don’t like feeling helpless and dependent on others. It honestly hurts my pride. But it has also been good at reminding me that I am human and I need others, especially my family who sees me every day.
Lowell wouldn’t complain when his breakfast came a little late because I was hugging the toilet or how the house has been a wreck for two months. When he’d open his drawer to find no socks, he’d calmly ask where they were and then go get them himself. He didn’t degrade me for the fact that they were still sitting in the laundry baskets, where they’d been since yesterday, waiting to be folded. Calls for him to please get me Gatorade on his way home from work or the nights he put the kids to bed by himself so I could retire early were taken in stride.
Days when I felt like crying because putting supper on the table looked like such a big ordeal, he looked me in the eye and said he’d be happy with hot dogs and oatmeal for the next two months.
I’ve been sick, but I’ve been so loved. God couldn’t have given me a better husband, sweeter children, or more caring friends!
Being on the receiving end of love makes you want to give it that much more!
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And there’s one more way we all can give. There is a pastor from Idaho who is currently being held in an Iranian prison. I don’t know the full details, so someone who does can come correct me. But I believe he is originally from Iran and had traveled there to an orphanage when authorities arrested him. His case will be taken before a judge who has the power to execute him.
So far our government has been silent. But there is a way we can help! There is a petition to the government to get involved and free Paster Saeed, but they need our signatures to get it noticed.
Here is what the petition says:
We petition the Obama Administration to help get American Pastor Saeed Abedini from Boise, Idaho home safely to his wife and children. Saeed has been imprisoned by the Iranian government because he is a Christian. President Obama, we ask you to work with the U.S. Department of State, the Iranian Government and the Swiss Embassy to help get Saeed home soon. Saeed is still in prison and his condition continues to deteriorate. Please help.
They need 25,000 signatures and only have 1,130. It doesn’t take long to sign it and it might save a life!
Click here to sign the petition. Thank you!
Let’s remember them that are in chains……
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Michelle-ozark crafter says
Praying you will feel better than ever and no more hugging of the toilet! My beloved and I have been blessed beyond measure this year. It is hard for him to accept such things but I just pass it on in someway.