Learning To Receive

Have you ever been given a gift, a reward or an encouraging word that you just couldn't understand why or where or even how it came to be for you?

Were you able to accept it wholeheartedly or did feelings of guilt, undeserving or even shamefulness stir inside of you?

When a few of us were in Toronto a couple weekends ago we met an amazing man named Richard. He took us on a walk through the streets of T.O. and shared with us pieces of his story and the world he continues to live in, but is no longer a part of.

At the end of the weekend Em (leader of UrbanX) received a text message from Richard and took note to mention that he never sends messages unless it's about an excursion. He said he had a message for me and went on through five text messages to say that basically, I had greatly inspired him.

I was speechless. In fact it still stumps me.

I've been finding it really hard to accept this amazing blessing and encouragement because I didn't do anything that night, in my eyes, that would initiate such beautiful comments from another. Especially one who has come out of a much darker place than I have ever been.

Richard is the inspiring one. He's the one who has strength, love and compassion on the sleeve of his arm.

Rob asked me if I felt guilty and undeserving of the gift given. After thinking about it for a bit I thought, "Ya kind of... it's just... I didn't do anything!"

This has not been an easy blog for me to write (ask Julie). I think it's because I've been trying to make sense of why, out of five other people I was centered out as an inspiration when all I did was look Richard in the eyes and listened. I've been trying to work it out so I could give God all the credit and not have to receive the gift.

Sometimes we have encounters with people and to us, we may just feel like us (maybe not even the best version of us), but to another, in that moment, something within us touches them.

Richard saw something in me that moved him...

God blesses us because we are His children...

Receive it. Accept it. Share it.