Hover Givers

An acquaintance of mine is a "hover giver." I'll explain. (He doesn't read this blog, and would be disinclined to recognize himself if he did.)

A hover giver prefers being present when the gift is received. He hovers over the beneficiary, in order to be sure it is appropriately noted that he is the giver. His gratification comes, not in the pleasure of the recipient, but in his own recognition as the one who gave.

A hover giver is offended by not receiving appreciation. This doesn't mean that children should be permitted to ignore the niceties of appropriate thank-you's. But such a giver hovers, waiting for response and extreme in insisting that gifts should be acknowledged in "proper" ways.

A hover giver prefers to specify gifts for projects with obvious results—not food baskets for the needy or school supplies for a storm-ravaged area, but donation to memorials or building projects. He hovers over the situation to be sure the funds are used as indicated, and are adequately appreciated.

A hover giver, however, is not a believer in "It's the thought that counts." It is, instead, the gift that counts. Never mind if it was given with a definite stated purpose. Since giving is, to him, a self-centered action, it is not too surprising to discover that what is given to him is used in his own interest—that is, "best interest" or not.

A hover giver suspects the altruism of others also to be selfish. He asks, "What is he/she getting out of this?" That someone would give freely with a spirit of generosity is nearly incomprehensible to him.

. . . Give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. – Kahil Gibran

Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

MaryMartha

Art from http://sxc.hu/

Lost Days (as in "Daze")

I am back at my desk after an enforced hiatus due to illness—an ear/sinus infection which produced dizziness and extreme nausea. (And thus, "daze" in the title.)

I take so many things for granted such as balance and a dependable measure of strength, seeing clearly, and the process of digestion and elimination, until I was suddenly denied these things. The incapacitating—but not dangerous—disruption of the fluid in my ears' semicircular canals affected all the above. Or so the doctor said. I am indeed "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14) I couldn't walk without getting sick; reading a book page or a TV or computer screen wasn't possible; my body functions slowed to a standstill, and all I did was sleep. And at that, I wasn't even desperately ill!

When I felt better, I questioned, "What have I learned through this?" Gratitude, for one thing. How wonderful a warm, soapy shower is! God help the Third World countries who do not have this luxury. A bowl of Cheerios makes a delectable supper, and chicken-noodle soup is great any time of day!

And I learned too how wonderful choice is. Shall I sleep upstairs or down (probably to be determined by whether I can make it up the stairs or not!) Shall the shower come before breakfast or after? Will it be tapioca or yoghurt? Blueberry, strawberry, or peach yoghurt?

Slowing down to enjoy each day's benefits is a good thing. It's just too bad I had to be in a daze to do it!

Marjorie

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

God Is Approachable

One of a series on "God's Endearing Personality:

Before they sinned, Adam and Eve loved to hear the sound of God walking through the Garden. After the day's work was finished and they had eaten supper—I imagine—they went out into the cool shadows, unafraid, and talked with their Great Friend.

The disobedience of Adam and Eve did not alter God's intention to fellowship with His human creation. God did not change, but they did. God still loved them and yearned for the return of their love, but they were afraid to approach Him. And thus it has always been: sin separates us from God, although His desire for relationship with us remains the same. He is never far away, but the fact of our rebellious humanness—we are just like Adam—keeps us from acknowledging and enjoying His presence.

"Come close to God," His Word says, "and He will come close to you." (James 4:8) How do we achieve that? We depend on the new and living Way, Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial life and death, we who were once far away are brought near to Him. (Ephesians 2:13) The writer to the Hebrews urged that we go so far as even to approach boldly. (4:16)

This is what the God wants! "Boldly" does not mean we come rudely or with pride. But we are to come confidently, much like the mothers who brought their little ones to Jesus for His blessing. Yes, God is the awesome Creator. He is the King to be honored and the Judge to be respected. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere-present, eternal and everlasting. But He is, above all, Love, waiting for us to draw close to Him.

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/