The Gift of Receiving

One of the strangest things happened to me the other day.

?It was Friday evening, the evening before Christmas Eve, and I was out shopping for little Christmas grab bag gifts for the children in my daughter’s children’s choir who were singing in the Christmas Eve service the next day. I was under a lot pressure because there were several things on the list that I couldn’t find, and time was running out.

?When I got to the cashier, I asked her about the items that I couldn’t find, and she was not very helpful. I decided just to check out and go to another store to look. In the middle of this conversation, the man in line behind me said, “May I pay for your purchase?”

I was startled. The thoughts that went through my head were things like, “Do I look so bad right now that he thinks I can’t afford this?!” and “Is this some kind of joke? It could be a #MrBeast type of offer. . .” But because I already had my credit card out and was in the process of paying and because everyone behind him in line was staring – and because of my pride – I said, “No, thank you.” I can’t even tell you now if I said, “Merry Christmas.”

As I left the store and continued my shopping, this young man’s offer kept going through head. Should I have accepted it? Was I rude for saying no? Was he serious? Why was he offering such a thing? And why didn’t you accept it, Laura? It might have really made him happy. These questions followed me throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and I’ve come to one very important conclusion:

In refusing to accept his offer of generosity, nothing changed. I left the store stressed, and he was probably amused and bemused that I didn’t say yes, but he still had his money. The world was not a better place because of my decision.

?Had I accepted his offer, however, the world would have become a more beautiful place. It would have given me joy to receive this unexpected gift (hey, free money is free money!), and it would have given him joy to have brightened up someone’s day.

?Truly, the best answer I could have given would have been, “Yes, on one condition. That I may tell the children about this when they get their presents tomorrow. That I may tell the children of your generosity.” This would have changed the world in an even greater way. Not only would I and the generous giver have been happier, but we would have been able to give the children the joy that we shared. We would have been able to show 20 kids (and their parents) that there is so much good in the world and that generosity is a beautiful gift that we give others spontaneously without expectation of something in return.

I wasn’t “wrong” in saying no. It was the safe, expected answer. However, in not being able to receive an unexpected gift from a stranger, I blocked what could have been a beautiful lesson – not only for me but everyone involved.

It’s often much harder to accept gifts from others than to give. How often do we turn down an offer of help or refuse to except something from someone – even something as simple as a compliment?

?This holiday season I wish for you that you may even more open to receiving every gift that is offered to you as you are open to giving to others. For who knows what beautiful event may come into motion through your very act of receiving?

?May you and yours have the most beautiful and blessed holiday season and all the best for the New Year! Happy receiving!