Give and you shall receive

     This week has been stupid crazy. On Monday I spent my afternoon cooking and baking for a woman whose husband had been in the hospital. I felt like she needed to rest more than she needed to cook. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday gathering and buying household items for a very dear woman who has spent the better part of the last three years living mainly out of her car. I spent the first half of Friday driving a friend of mine to Yadkinville because her car isn't the most reliable and that is where her doctor is and she needed a prescription refill.Friday evening was spent baking and cooking some more for a meal that my church family took the Hospice home today. Today was the serving of the meal to the staff and family members of patients at the hospice home. 

     The meal I fixed on Monday wasn't a four course meal and not a lot of food. Most of the items I gave away on Wednesday were things that I already had. I maybe spent $10 on a few new things for her. The trip to Yadkinville really only costed me a little for gas and my time. Part of the meal I fixed for Hospice was crockpotted so it wasn't a big deal.

     I didn't do anything I did this week for any sort of recognition . I did everything I did for the smiles on faces and tear filled eyes that express appreciation.I did everything I did this week because my Bible is my standard and it plainly says "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  I gave of myself this week and in return I received much more than I gave.

     When I delivered the meal I fixed on Monday I received hugs and thank yous . The meal was enjoyed and I received even more thank yous. When I delivered a trunk full of stuff to my friend on Wednesday it was so appreciated that I cried on my way home. She told me today that she had not slept on clean sheets in 3 years . Oh the things we take for granted. What a blessing to be able to cook for and serve those people today. Some of them the ones who care for our loved ones who are at the end of their lives. Others were family members of patients there. 

     What I have gotten from this week is this...I am SO blessed. All of my loved ones are healthy right now and I am not spending my days taking care of somebody. I have sheets on my bed, silverware to eat with, and towels to dry off with. I have a car that gets me to where I need to go. I am not spending this Christmas season saying goodbye forever to someone I love. I have everything I could possibly need and more. I have received more than I gave this week . I can verify that I have been more blessed by giving this week than I have ever been by being on the receiving end.