Giving Is Good. Taking is Better.

As I was dropping off some toys and clothes to a local shelter, a young man asked if he could help me. (His name was Alex.) I said, yes. I could use the help. (It was pouring down rain, and cold. Two things I am still not used to having lived in Los Angeles the last 22 years of my life.) We loaded up our arms with bags of stuff and exchanged a few words. (mostly about the weather)  Then he said this, "It's nice to give. Giving is one of God's best gifts. But I have finally learned how to accept. When someone feels blessed to give something to me, I learned how to accept it and say thank you."  (weird, kinda)  We shook hands. And I said, Have a great day, Alex. And he said, I hope you have a great day too, Ian.   Life is weird, simple, yet weird.   

Giving is one of God's best gifts.  But for most of us, especially this time of year, it's pretty easy to do. We've been taught to give, to help others, and all that. Sadly, it's usually on our terms. God gave us the gift to give ourselves for others. But when someone wants to give back or simply just give out of the goodness of their heart, why is it so hard to just accept and say thank you?  Thank you, Alex for that thought today.