don't rob me of my blessing!

Romans 1:12...that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

With groceries pile high, full to the brim of all things good, she stared me straight in the eye, with finger pointing as she reprimanded, "Don't rob me of my blessing."

For me, that was the beginning of a long lesson that I continue to learn and refine, to this very day.

This soccer mom's high school daughter was on my husband's team.  And after hearing us pour out our hearts in celebration over the blessing the Lord had just given us concerning a large amount of grocery store gift certificates being mailed to our house, she felt compelled of God to pay for all the items in our grocery cart.

As difficult as it was for this "self-sufficient" girl to accept, I released control and allowed myself to receive.

Some of us believe that it's godly to give, but we balk at asking.  It feels uncomfortable being on the receiving end...[but] we have to understand how to give and take [as] a part of growing spiritually.  We actually give others joy and strengthen their faith when we ask for and then gratefully accept their help.  -Joan C. Webb

It's humbling, no doubt, to accept help.  Yet it's one of God's methods of sanctification.  It's His way of reminding us that He's in control and how He desperately wants to take care of us....if we let Him.  ..."How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"  {Matthew 23:37b}

God has fashioned the body of believers to help each other.  Because, contrary to popular belief, sometimes he does give us more than we can handle.  If He didn't, then what's the purpose of Galatians 6:2 - "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ"?  Isn't it safe to assume that sometimes life becomes so consuming and overwhelming and "too much" to take, that dependency upon another's faith is actually needed?

And once you relent; once you accept, there is a duplicity of encouragement.  Faith is grown.  And God is glorified.

Joan C. Webb suggests to make it personal:  What family, work or personal concern are you facing this week?  Ask at least one caring friend to support you in prayer for
this specific issue.

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