Never Ever Dull
With every conversation, I always seem to end with "Never a dull moment"....our lives are rich, complex, and beautiful stories. Join me in laughing about everyday things and appreciating life-bumpy roads and all.
The doorbell rang. It was 2010, and the kids and I were upstairs enjoying a movie on Christmas Eve. We were in our historic home in Franklin, Tennessee, hundreds of miles from family. Who would come see us on Christmas Eve? I knew. A couple of weeks before, I had been contacted by someone who wanted to remain anonymous. This person had been given my name when he asked some community folks about who was in need during this time of year. It had been shared that I was experiencing a rough season (just through a sad divorce situation, a flood, my father's passing that had just occurred, raising four kiddos solo-style in a state that I had just moved to). Yep, poster child for "she's in need" right there. When I first got the email about someone desiring to bless my family, I replied "no thanks" without hesitation. I acknowledged that this kind person wanted to extend grace and love to me, but I didn't want it. In fact, I've always been the one to give. It felt so beneath me to even read that email. Uncomfortable. Weird. Strangers wanting to help me. I could handle this. Yeeesch. I confided to a dear friend who knew all that had been going on in my life. He advised me to let this person do it: go out and buy gifts for my family. "Let someone do this for you." What?! I balked at the whole idea. Time went by and I was contacted again. Same person. I gave it more thought. I realized it was an issue of pride. I didn't want help from anyone because it would show that I was weak, didn't have it all together, and I would not even be close to winning that "mom-of-the-year" award that I always strive to win. It was a mental battlefield. I relented. I caved. The kids turned the glass knob of our 1912 arts and crafts door to find our wide porch full of presents, wrapped with names written on each individual gift tag. They found things they needed and many extra surprises. There were smiles, laughter, and awe as they unwrapped the gifts. I blinked back tears and joined my kids as we ripped through gift wrap. The anonymous donor watched from down the street and thanked me in an email for blessing him and his entire family. I learned a lot that evening and still look back at that event. I had to acknowledge I did need help and swallow some pride. I realized it's ok to let someone shower, really pour, blessings on us. I never wanted to be in that position but realize that God places people in our lives to love on us and for us to love on them. Those blessings helped me stand on my own two feet again and gave me the confidence to keep walking. It blessed the family who really wanted to give that Christmas. One of my favorite mentors, Peggy, taught me that sometimes you need to be willing to receive and allow others in....not to be a stone fortress barricading others from entering your life. Sometimes, the best gift you can give is to receive. That kind of giving can bless others as well.
2 Comments
Jane
12/13/2015 05:35:14 am
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this Amy.
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AuthorFun-loving mom to 4 kids and 1 big puppy. Fifth grade teacher of amazing little people who have never ending things to share with me. Love to discuss Jesus, diy projects, and life. Trying to keep it simple: Love Jesus, love people. Archives
December 2021
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