No Pride in Giving, No Shame in Taking
The line Saturday morning was long and jumbled and talkative.
Each person was waiting to receive their free teal bag. It contained a carefully-loaded gift of meat and vegetables and dessert, enough to cook a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner for their family this Thursday.
I walked through the crowd and said hello here and there, looking for someone who wanted to talk.
I saw a friend and stopped. We chatted about the autumn weather finally arriving.
Then she told me what she often tells me, “Thank you so much for what y’all are doing. It makes such a big difference to us.”
I gave my standard reply, “We’re just passing it along as God gives it. We’re glad to do it.”
And it’s true. God gives to us so we can enjoy giving to others.
But more is true.
I said it to her. I needed to hear it again myself. It is this:
None of us know when it will be our turn to be on the receiving end.
None of us are above it.
None of us are below it.
We like to think, “It’ll never be me.” After all, we plan and save and prepare for such surprises. I’ll always be on this side of the line, we think, never the other.
But if we’ve ever seen (or been) someone devastated by a job loss or a health catastrophe or a financial crumble, we know that, yes, it could be us.
And in many ways it has already been us, it is us now, and it will be us again.
Give and take is a dance. It’s an art form of rhythm and movement, of story and liturgy, of back and forth.
Sometimes we give.
Sometimes we take.
We’re not better people because we give.
We’re not worse people because we take.
We all do a little of both in every season of our lives, in various ways, and in differing degrees.
Let none of us think we’re always a giver. Or always a taker. We’re all some of both. Because that’s how God designed community to work.
If we participate in this dance with grace and partners and intention, it’s a beautiful waltz to behold.
Notice this Thanksgiving week how you dance back and forth between giving and receiving, between offering and accepting, between handing out and taking in.
And whichever side you fall on in this moment, say thanks. Thankful to be able to give. Thankful to be able to receive.
My friend and I ended our conversation in agreement:
When we have, we give.
And when we need, we receive.
There should be no pride or shame on either end.
Let’s be grateful in it all.
* * *
For November, I’ve been welcoming Song and Dance for “Welcome,” my One Word for 2016. See the monthly welcoming practices here.
Related:
- Don’t Just Give: Receive – She said she had something to give me; now I want to keep it growing.
- God Sends No One Alone – All the kindergarteners were enjoying their parents’ attention today, except for this little boy.
- It Matters If You Win, Too – It has to matter to us that it’s also about others.
How will you give this week? How will you receive? Please share in the comments.
- How to Love That Other Number on the Enneagram (All Nine Types)
- Pursuing Health in an Anxious Age – Book Review
Understanding that to God we are all receivers (takers let’s say) helps us be ready to be good givers in imitation of our Father!
Great point, Helene! We all come to God with empty hands. He is the source of all good things, and anything we give to others, first came from him.
I love this –> We’re not better people because we give.
We’re not worse people because we take.
Thank you for this important reminder….
I have to remind myself of that so I won’t get puffed up with pride when I give, and so I won’t feel guilty when I feel need. Thanks, Sarah.
“We’re just passing it along as God gives it.”
True of groceries, true of all our ministry for Him. This is a beautiful reminder of where we all stand before God.
I agree, Michele–true of ALL ministry. It all starts with God and is for his glory.
Beautiful … to both offer and receive with grace, with thanksgiving. Thank you for this reminder, this caution, Lisa.
Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family.
Thanks, Linda. Praying you and your family have a restful and beautiful time of giving thanks this week! I know you will make it meaningful.
I love this reminder, Lisa, that “We’re not better people because we give. We’re not worse people because we take.” No pride or shame in either. And I think even those who are on the receiving end of financial help still can give to others in so many other ways. Thank you. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Hugs!
Exactly, Trudy. Money is only one of a million different ways to give. We often place too much emphasis on it, when we can all help in so many other ways. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, too!
Thanks for the visit this morning Lisa. I enjoyed reading your insights here in this post! My we carry ourselves like Jesus; regardless of which role in the waltz we a living. I am learning to check my motives in every situation as I seek to glorify my Savior. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday as well. Blessings to you and yours.
You’ve found the key, Horace: “I am learning to check my motives in every situation as I seek to glorify my Savior.” That’s a hard thing to do, but when we can be aware enough to do it, everyone benefits! Blessings to you, my friend.
I love how you have weaved the give and the take into a waltz Lisa! So beautiful and such a wonderful picture of what community really is designed to be. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, too, Nicki! It definitely is about both give and take. My mother-in-law gave us a great feast yesterday and I took. 🙂
very grateful. I know when I work the food pantry I try to be open and loving and see God in the faces of all who come in. Thanks for saying so beautifully. Happy Thanksgiving, Lisa!
I know you are a true blessing to every face that comes into that food pantry, Jean. You are the hands and feet–and face–of God made incarnate.
We are all in this together…or, at least, we should be. Even though that runs contrary to the “American Way.” That’s what I love about House of the Harvest, Manna House, and other similar places. We are all equals. We are all on the same team. We are all chasing the same dream. TOGETHER. These are the types of places where we would find Jesus if He were with us physically today. Well…He might be other places too, but would likely be seen turning tables over!
Thanks Lisa! We love you and Jeff!
Your and Jennifer’s vision AND faith to enact it has been such a huge blessing to our entire community, Adam. On both sides of the line! It’s been a beautiful thing to not only see so many people helped each week, but also see how friendships have been made. My eyes have been opened even wider to see more of God’s goodness through all that you and He and the community have done together this past year through House of the Harvest. Blessings to you and your family, Adam! We love you and Jennifer and your whole clan.
Hi Lisa! What wonderful work you do in distributing food to those who are in need. That’s exactly what we are called to do by God, feed the hungry.
Welcoming is such a great topic! I am writing a talk on hospitality, and that jewel of being a welcoming spirit is so key to truly being hospitable.
May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with your loved ones, and may God bless you abundantly.
Ceil
Yes, I think there is perfect connectivity between welcoming and hospitality. I’m sure your talk will be inspiring to all who are blessed to hear it! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday, Ceil. I didn’t get to see my own kids, but I enjoyed being with other extended family that we did eat with.
So good, Lisa! It’s tough being on the receiving end of things, for me … I’m learning to do so, however. It can be quite humbling … but that’s where God wants our hearts.
I’m with you, Dianne. It is humbling for me, too, to be on the other side of giving. My pride always takes a hit when I have to receive, but that’s okay, right? 🙂 Without first receiving, we have nothing to give. Still learning….
These are such good and true thoughts Lisa! My family was on the receiving end of Thanksgiving food baskets for a few years, so that when our lot improved and we were able to be on the giving side, what a joy it was to be able to share! Now that I am learning to be on the receiving end of help with tasks, it has been a new learning process, but one that should be held with the same open heart and hands towards our Lord most of all! Thank you for sharing these beautiful Thanksgiving thoughts! –Blessings!
Thanks for making this more personal, Bettie. I think it’s more meaningful when people have seen both sides of an issue and can speak from an authentic position. Life is definitely about both giving and receiving, and we have things to learn on both ends!
Great thoughts for the holidays, Lisa.
I’m with you; I try to live my life by that same mantra. You may have heard of it, “But by the grace of God… ‘there go i'”…
Not too clever…
Good job and wonderful attitude, sister.
Yes, your mantra is one we all need on our blogs, Floyd! I’ve loved reading it on yours for years now. I need to see and hear and believe it daily.
Amen, friend! Thanks so much for sharing this powerful reminder at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
You’re welcome, Lori. I need this reminder myself that it’s okay to be on both sides of this, and not be too proud to receive help, in whatever form, when I need it.
In this season of my life i often feel like i am a taker and not much of a giver, but when an almost stranger who i had listened to and encouraged called me ‘kind’ it brought it home to me that giving doesn’t have to be a ‘thing.’
Exactly, exactly. Giving takes many forms. You gave what was needed to the almost stranger. That was likely more valuable than if you had given something tangible.
Some people need help some can give that is what God wants do what you can might not be much but try
I totally agree with you, Randy. We do what we can, when we can, and God is pleased with that. I miss seeing you at Manna House. Hope you’re doing well.