We Have Been Blessed

“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:35.  We may not see this quote in the Gospels, but nonetheless we can be sure it’s the words of Jesus as Paul claimed.  John clearly tells us there are many things Jesus did that were not recorded (John 21:25).  And this verse is a great beatitude.  Each beatitude has a blessing component, but this beatitude comes with MORE blessing.  There is a double blessing, one for the person who gives and one for the person who receives.  It’s a verse we often hear during stewardship campaigns or holiday food drives. We teach it to our children to help them understand the beauty of generosity, and we strive to live it out in our daily walk. But lately, our family has had to learn the other side of that equation: the humbling, beautiful grace of being the ones who receive.  

As many of you know, these past few months have been defined by my wife’s breast cancer treatments, and a host of other health related things happening in our family. It has been a road marked by surgeries and chemotherapy, followed by the heavy fog of recovery and ongoing side effects.  We’ve gotten into a rhythm that’s fairly predictable each three week cycle from treatment to treatment, but it’s hard, and not what anyone would choose who wasn’t facing a life-threatening disease.

Yet, in the middle of that struggle, this congregation has been the hands and feet of Jesus in ways beyond our expectations.  From the steady stream of meal trains and DoorDash donations that took the burden of cooking off our shoulders, to the cards, prayers, and support, we have been overwhelmed by your generosity. Your kindness has been a living example of 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV):”Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  We have felt that “cheerful” spirit in every delivery of food or a gift, and every time someone has come to us and asked “how has Gretchen been doing” and that you’ve been lifting our family up in prayer.  

So often a church-goer’s mindset can be that the “blessing” is found only in the act of helping others. By allowing you to care for us, we witnessed the Body of Christ functioning exactly as it was meant to—bound together by love and mutual support.  We’ve echoed the sentiments of many who have said “I can’t imagine how anyone could go through cancer without the support of a good church.”  We are blessed to have you.  

To everyone who dropped off a meal, sent a text, or prayed for us even though you have 100s of others that need prayers as well –  thank you. You have shown us that while giving is a blessing, receiving is a reminder that God is with us through the battle.  He uses the body of Christ to bless us, show his care and provision.  By the time this Chronicle comes out we will have just one round of chemo to go, thyroid surgery, and radiation treatments. So, our hope is we will see much healing in the days ahead.  However, it will not just be the medicine and surgeries that has brought this healing, but also the work of the lord providing for us through you, Wildwood.

The part that has been most impressive to me is not just the sacrifice by many on our behalf, but the fact that it appeared to be a glad sacrifice.  Effective ministry does require sacrifice.  Those who know the blessedness of it all gladly sacrifice.  

My family’s time of needing these gifts is hopefully wrapping up soon.  So please, keep your eye out for the next who needs your help.  Maybe they are outside of a church body and come to see the heart of Jesus towards them through your blessing.