Being a Receiver~ Would You Catch that Ball?

The day of my ankle surgery last month my husband and I got there before 6 a.m., early as recommended. We checked in and took our seats in a waiting room full of people. I was in a wheelchair and across the way an older woman, let’s call her “Elaine,” was using a walker. We exchanged a few words with her and then, very promptly, a door opened at the far corner of the room; my name was called along with hers. Two hospital personnel accompanied us, initially focusing on holding the door for me because of my condition with two ankle injuries in a wheelchair. However, the attention quickly shifted to Elaine who had arrived alone.

“Is anyone here to help you?” asked one of the women.

“Nope, I’m by myself,” Elaine stated plainly.

Even the hospital staff was stunned that this woman had come in barely walking, and without a helper. As my husband Jorge wheeled me through the door, the women there made sure to hold the door for Elaine.

We entered the preoperative room. Next came the questions from the anesthesiologist, and though Elaine was next to me there was a curtain of privacy separating us now. Still, I overheard everything that was being asked, including the laundry-list of at least seven major surgeries she had previously undergone and the present back surgery she would endure that day. She was then told to change into a gown, all by herself. The moans and groans she let out got the attention of one of the nurses who spoke to her from outside the curtain, coaching her to go slowly and making sure she was alright. After a few more minutes the nurse came to check on Elaine and asked her how she was bending to get her shoes on, because it would be physically damaging to her body to do so. Elaine nonchalantly responded, “I manage to do it, though I should be using some device to help me.”

We were both women side-by-side in the preoperative area, about to undergo serious surgeries, but ironically the support systems we each possessed couldn’t have been more of a contrast. I began pondering: Did Elaine want it this way? Did she push away those who could have helped her today in the name of ‘independence’? Or, was she a victim of undesired loneliness?

That day and today I reflect on the rallying of people coming around us, loving our family in this time of physical and emotional recovery after being hit by a car with my children literally by my side. For the past two months we received meals like clockwork thanks to a community of friends, family, neighbors and strangers who all did “a little” which added up to FULL and abundant provision.

The title of this post is, “Being a Receiver-Would You Catch that Ball?” (it has a football pun in there, for all you fans)! The question I pose in a funny way is crucial: Would you play the role of “receiver” if God throws such a circumstance your way? Or, would you find yourself like Elaine, alone and perhaps with the excuse of “independence” as your prideful pursuit?

I understand at a deeper level what it means to receive from others who give unabashadley. It can make you feel humbled and undeserving, but also ever-grateful and reminded of something that is very counter-cultural these days: I am NOT strong enough on my own. Yes, that’s right, we as humans are not strong enough to “beat cancer,” to survive an accident, or to endure months of physical immobility without the grace and hand of Almighty GOD! Pressure off, for we are but dust (Ecclesiastes 3:20), and our days are numbered (Job 14:5)! I knew that accepting the gifts bestowed upon me with a grateful heart is the attitude Our Savior would endorse and adopt. In John 12 Jesus didn’t reject Mary when she gladly anointed his feet with a perfume as valuable as a year’s wages, though many questioned this “over the top” gift; he saw the value in RECEIVING too.

Receiving makes the ground between you and others feel uneven or lopsided, because they are “doing more” and you are seemingly “sitting back.” I would argue that receiving in our do-it -yourself culture is the harder, more unnatural and higher road for us to wind up on. Being a willing receiver takes practice and an open heart.

After having been a recipient of countless demonstrations of love towards our family these past months, I want to spur YOU on to bless in small ways and RECEIVE from the precious hands that are extended out to YOU! It may not be customary or comfortable at the beginning, but the next time others seek to bless you, don’t turn your back or belittle your need. I have discovered that others WANT to GIVE, just as you do, as they too are rewarded and uplifted in the process. You’ll find, as I did, that in learning to be a RECEIVER you will experience a treasure box of love and care from unexpected people and places, and a noteworthy and rare humbling of your own heart.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Please share any stories of YOU learning to RECEIVE below in the comments, or other thoughts and reflections. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 John 4:7 LET someone else LOVE you today, DEAR ONES!