Thursday, April 1, 2021


 

Who gets to say what is a blessing and what is not a blessing?


I like ice cream but as it’s been said, ice cream doesn’t like me. In the evening as we are winding down from whatever toppings life has sprinkled on us, thatguyilivewith will say, do you want some ice cream? Most of the time I will say yes and he will dip a big cup for himself and just a little more than a taste for me. Shortly after I finish my thimble I begin to moan and cry, “I hate ice cream!”

 

I think given the opportunity most of us would like to dip a big scoop of Bluebell homemade vanilla to share with a friend. It seems to be a sweet (and creamy) gesture of kindness. We might even consider it a blessing or a gift.

 

But who gets to label it a blessing? Is it a blessing because the giver said it was a blessing? What if the recipient doesn’t like it? Is it still a blessing?

 

This may seem like nonsense but let’s say I went into my icebox of life and saw that I was doubly blessed with gallons and gallons of that Texas treasure, and I think to myself, I am going to pass this blessing to my neighbor. I get out a big bowl and fill it up. I drizzle on the chocolate syrup and drop on a few gummy bears and sprinkles. After all, I enjoy these on my ice cream. I march cheerfully over to my neighbor’s house and present what I have determined to be a blessing.

To my surprise, it is refused with a, “No thanks, I do not care for ice cream.”

Why? I have been blessed with excess amounts of ice cream and I want to pass that blessing on to you.

 

Other than those listed above for why ice cream might be denied, I can think of a few other reasons the ice cream is not a blessing to my neighbor.

  1. Maybe allergies or lactose intolerance
  2. Maybe the neighbor has given up sweets for religious reasons
  3. Maybe dieting or is a diabetic.
  4. Maybe a serious dislike for gummies or chocolate syrup

 

I remember as a child being blessed with socks and underwear for Christmas. And as the receiver I didn’t see that as a blessing simply because that wasn’t what I wanted.

Three things to consider:

 If it’s truly the thought that counts, give a thoughtful gift. I could buy you the moon but if you aren’t interested in having the moon, going to the moon or being associated with the moon, then that gift doesn’t say I thought about you. It says I thought about the moon.

The value of a gift is not the same as the price tag. In other words, just because I paid a butt load for it does not mean that it has more value to the receiver. After 30 + years of marriage I have a wedding and engagement ring set that only cost a portion of what most millennial newlyweds are sporting. The value of my ring is measured by the relationship, not the price tag.

The most valuable gifts are exchanged emotionally:

Forgiveness

Gratitude

Concern

Respect

And occasionally, Correction.

 Thanks to those that love me beyond the blessings that I attempt to give. 

2 comments:

  1. You have given me some food for thought.....and I consider that a Blessing! 😉

    ReplyDelete