Giving and receiving

Wow, what a week this has been. Lots of big stuff came down the pipe in the last seven days and all of it good. It seemed fitting that the sermon in church today was about it being better to give than receive, but for me there was one catch: lots of people have been giving while I've been at the receiving end. It all started on Monday, which was my 18th wedding anniversary. Angel & I had made big plans to go grocery shopping and catch CSI:Miami on the TV; it wasn't so much that we became an old married couple but that we didn't have the money to go out that night. Well, first thing Monday morning as I pull my bus into the Robin Hood Learning Centre to unload my passengers one of the day program staff climbed aboard. "I just wanted you to know that last Friday you really made my day, so here's a little something for you." My co-worker was referring to the coffee I brought in for her & someone else on my day off. So I was a little taken aback when I saw her give me a $25 gift card for Earl's restaurant. So that plus a 2 for 1 movie admission we had been saving changed our plans and made for one of the most memorable (and spontaneous) anniversaries we've ever had. If you're reading this you know who you are, and so once again we are so grateful for your kindness and generosity.

Fast forward to last Friday; Angel & I drove down to Three Hills for my convocation at PBI. Yup, after all these years I finally graduate from Prairie Bible College. I have to clarify here that while I got to wear the funny hat & robe in April my graduation date isn't until December. However since I'm just a few credits shy of my degree they let me participate in the ceremony this spring. In spite of having never met any of my fellow graduates before the rehearsal I quickly made friends with a couple of my "classmates", who were in disbelief that I did the entire program by distance education. After the practice run I received word that the dean of the distance education program wanted to see me in his office, where I received from him a set of books as a gift for my graduation. And if that wasn't enough they threw in a couple of free Prairie t-shirts when I mentioned I wanted to buy some while I was there.

I was so glad that a few members of my family were able to come to my grad, as my parents, my mom-in-law and my older brother Steen were able to make it down. The ceremony was long (and hot as I cooked in my gown for over 2 hours) but the feelings of pride and accomplishment were well worth it (you can click here to see some photos of the commencement). Afterwards we drove back to Edmonton where we met up with other family members at The Old Spaghetti Factory in West Edmonton Mall. Once again came the giving and receiving, as we had our portion of the tab paid for by family plus receiving a gift card. And if that wasn't enough someone in church today gave me a congratulations card with a $50 gift card for East Side Mario's.

So why am I spouting off about all this stuff that was given to me? It's because it's so hard for me to receive. And it's not just the material stuff but the relational stuff that comes with it. The very act of going to convocation was an exercise in receiving, as I wasn't sure if I wanted to commemorate my finishing school. But, as someone in church said to me this morning, convocation is an act of blessing. So many people have been cheering us on lately; first with being recommended as adoptive parents, the warm well-wishes for our 18th anniversary and now my grad. Honestly, it's been great but overwhelming too. I'm not used to so much blessing in such a short period of time. I can't help but think if this is a God thing, considering how much I've been questioning His involvement in my life lately. But I'm a relational kind of person who responds to tangible acts of kindness; it's my "love language" that I speak with and listen for. Maybe God's trying to say something to me. Maybe He's been speaking for a while, and I just haven't been listening well enough...