Learning to Receive

Lately I have been learning about receiving. Today I received a package of 50 diapers for newborn infants. They were pampers. This is the third time I have received an anonymous gift in anticipation of our baby. A little over a month ago I received my first package of 50 pampers. The next week I received a package of onesies. And now another package of pampers. Who is this anonymous giver who keeps pampering us?

There is something about receiving an anonymous gift that is a bit frustrating. It is not that I don't appreciate the generosity of this anonymous giver. I am totally blessed by it! It is incredibly thoughtful and really helps us out! I think the part that is frustrating is that I cannot thank them or pay them back in some way. I have a hard time simply accepting a gift. I would rather give something back in return.

This morning it occurred to me that the good news is all about receiving. All you can do is open up your hands and accept it. Sure, the good news is not an anonymous gift. We know who it came from. And sure, the natural response is to live the rest of your life with gratitude toward the giver. But at the end of the day there is nothing you can do to earn it or repay it. You only can receive it. The good news is all about learning to receive what you could never give on your own.