Learning How To Receive

--by mishiarmi, posted Apr 20, 2015

This my story of receiving and how I've learned that this too is a kindness I can do for another, or in my case many others.

I have been struggling with a lot of pain and tiredness for several years, finally a year and a half ago I just could not keep going as I had been. I had to stop working and lost my home.

I have two daughters, 14 and 9, who live with me. It has been quite difficult finding places to stay and to also learn how to care for myself with this physical challenge.

So many friends and strangers have shown up with places to live and help in many other ways. One friend had us in his living room for the first five months and a few weeks here and there since. Another friend bought us 25lb bags of organic beans, rice and flour.

The girls' father has done all he can while struggling himself financially, moving from job to job. Strangers have trusted me, with two children, to care for their homes while they were away. Because of all this care and love my girls and I have not been without a home to stay in for all this time.

My condition, diagnosed during this time as several diseases and disorders considered to be only manageable (I don't believe that and am looking for what it will take to heal), has gotten worse with all the stress and I have given my children to their father to care for, since I am not able to do so. So now I am with another friend, who invited me to stay with her for this month.

Until recently I felt guilty getting all this help caring for my family's basic needs when I could not. A few months ago a friend told me something that shifted all that. "When you receive from another their gift, you give them the gift of seeing their caring making another happy." Perhaps this piece of wisdom is the greatest gift of all, given at just the right time so that I could truly receive it.

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Posted by mishiarmi
Apr 20, 2015
Comments (10)

Readers Comments

josietn wrote: I had never looked at it that way before. Prayers for you and your daughters

mightym wrote: I also live with chronic pain and even though it is much easier to give. When you receive with a smile you are giving the best gift of all to the giver. Bless you and may you get some comfort and refief.

patriciagrace wrote: Giving to others is a true blessing to the giver, so if we don't accept help, we deny someone a blessing.

madhuri wrote: A different perspective. Now, i feel grateful and not guilty. Thanks for sharing this and thank your friend who mentioned this to you on my behalf too.

Mish wrote: Positively, mishiarmi. Allowing others to share themselves with us is a blessing for them & for you. Shining light on you & your family for healing, safe shelter & blessings of love and joy.

mindyjourney wrote: Thank you for sharing with us. To receive is like giving. Blessings of health, healing and better ahead.

terre wrote: To receive is a gift to the giver. When both are done with an open heart, the individuals are truly blessed. I think you're being truly blessed.

sandyremillar wrote: Sorry to hear of your ailing...I request my dear Heavenly friends help you in every way they can! Such a dire situation but God has worked through those that surround you so you can move on....Do request help of St Vincent de Paul if you are in the USA. I help here in Georgia (just got a call, will help when it's daylight!) and it helps in many ways....Blessings to you and your family....

melnotes wrote: Thank you for sharing your personal story and lovely kindness from friend. Blessings of loveland light xx

pluto178 wrote: You are spot on with that..........but focus only on getting well...not ill health your right to say I am not going to accept manageable you go for improved health and accept nothing less. You must be a remarkable person in yourself for so many friends to come forward to help......and I truly hope we can all hear the story of you moving into your own home again soon...........your strength will return........such difficulties are in your past the future can only get better. Good luck to you and your children and well done on managing so far. x

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