Learning to Receive | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Learning to Receive | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Surgenor Reames
02/23/06
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Rain fell hard and steady just outside my bedroom window. We needed the rain so I was glad for it, but I worried about a thin short pine tree struggling to stand up beneath the onslaught of water. As I watched, holding my breath, the small tree trembled with every harsh gust of wind. I knew I had to do something, so I shrugged into a poncho and hurried outside. I pushed my daughter's bike into the mud, stuck my shoe in deep to form a valley and then forced my long sturdy walking stick into the rain-softened ground. I tied one of my other daughter's ribbons round the slender trunk of the tiny tree and gasped as one sharp branch slapped me wildly in the face. "I'm trying to help you, little tree, but you have to let me!" I joked, as I wiped water from my eyes and stood back to examine my handiwork. It wasn't perfect but it would do for this one rainstorm.
As I headed back inside, I thought of how like me that little tree really is. For the last year, beginning with the discovery of a tumor resting on my brain and continuing today, with my struggles to learn how to get along in everyday life again, I have felt at times that I was going to break beneath the strain and stresses. All along the way, though, God has seen fit to send helpful people along to encourage me on my new path. While I've been immensely grateful, I've had an internal struggle all my own - one that no one but God and I have known about.
It has been my struggle to receive the help He sends me.
Giving comes much more easily to me than receiving. All my life I've sought to be a giver. I find great joy in giving. Receiving has never been my strong suit.
And yet, now, like this tiny tree, buffeted in the storm, help has been essential for me to make it through.
Today someone did something very generous and kind for me, something that caused me to catch my breath, put one hand to my throat, and whisper a silent heartfelt prayer to our Father. "Thank You, God," I breathed, "for yet another help from You." The person who did this for me did it out of a spirit of love and caring, and without thinking of getting something in return. For a split second, I almost turned away from their kindness, because I didn't want them to feel they "had" to do this. And then He reminded me of my little tree and I thought I heard a quiet Voice say to me, "Hey, little one, I'm trying to help you but you have to let me!" I smiled to myself and nodded. "Okay, God," I murmured softly, "and...thank You."

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