Saturday, December 13, 2008

Receive

Several weeks ago I was talking with some friends about the word receive. What does this word make you think? How do you respond? Generally it seems to have a positive connotation. We love to receive gifts, flowers, compliments, letters, etc. I threw in the mix a questioning on whether or not receiving could be a difficult experience. Now if your mind begins to reel in a resounding yes just slow down for a moment. Obviously we receive things we don't want. I don't need to make a list. I'm sure you can make your own. Is there a possibility though that we can mesh the first two concepts though. Receiving something that is positive yet difficult. What's this you say??? We can tend to blow through life when things are simple and easy going. When everyone's health is at its peak, when everyone is having a good time, when finances are breathing easy, and when relationships are smooth. What happens though when this isn't the case? What about when things are difficult and seemingly not going your way? What if that relationship that you thought was going great started to struggle? If someone had some difficult things to say would you receive them well? Would you think it positive? There are times when we have to receive some of the most difficult things that we were not ready for. It can often times blindside us without warning. Can it be a good thing? I say yes. Difficult? Absolutely. But how much are we grown and stretched to something we didn't think we could be in the easy times? Not much. Its when you are faced with the events in life that you never thought you could push through that make you the person you never knew you could be. I challenge you, though it may be hard, to welcome those defining moments. To take those difficult gifts that life throws your way and receive them well.

God bless!

Sunday, December 7, 2008