Expressions of Perceptions

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My mom lives about 100 miles away and only comes to visit us once a month.  Every time she comes, she brings us things.  She usually brings clothes for my kids, groceries, and sometimes clothes for me, treats for my husband, and toys for my children.  She really is a huge blessing to us, but she doesn’t see it that way.

When she came to visit earlier this week, she brought clothes for my children, clothes for me, treats for my husband, birthday presents for my oldest and smaller toys for the younger ones, and groceries.  While she was here, she entertained my children so I could get some housework done, babysat my son while I took my daughters to dance class, helped clean up after meals, picked up the toys in my living room while I bathed my children, and helped me get them dressed for bed.  I’m sure she enjoyed it (well, except for the cleaning part, no one would enjoy the cleaning), but it was also such a big help to me.

After all of her generosity and helpfulness, when she was leaving, she thanked me “for everything”.  I keep thinking that there’s no way I out-gave her.  All I did was send her home with leftovers!  I’m sure she appreciates the leftovers, but she’s really thankful that I let her help me, trust her with my kids, and welcome her into my family (yes, my mother is family, but you know what I mean).

That really puts the “better to give than to receive” thing into focus.  I don’t know if she’s that selfless, that loving, or both, but she is quite an example for me to strive to follow.

In thinking over that, it prompted me to look up the origin of the famous “better to give than to receive” quote.  It turns out that it came from the Bible.  (I know, imagine that!)  Acts 20:35 reads “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  (emphasis mine)

So, since it’s “more blessed to give than to receive” (It really is – Jesus wouldn’t lie!), in honor of my mother, I’m giving away a book written for moms – 100 Income Streams for Full-time Moms: Because Your Children are Your Full-time Job. 

What’s it about?  The title says it all!

How do you enter?  Leave a comment on this blog post or on the Expressions of Perceptions facebook page.  For an additional entry, suggest the EOP facebook page to others, and leave a comment letting me know that you did.

A winner will be drawn at random (literally, at random.org) on Saturday, April 9th.

Of course this doesn’t compare to how much my mother has given me, but she’s got some pretty big shoes to fill!

When you define your relationship to God, do you say you’re a “believer” or a “follower of Christ”?  Somehow, in today’s society, the two terms “believer” and “follower” have come to mean the same thing… but they’re not.

If you’re a believer, you believe that God exists.  If you’re a follower, you make a conscious effort to obey the Lord’s commands.

Don’t get me wrong, believing is very important, but even Satan “believes” in God.  Following is a choice made because of belief.

It’s important to be both a believer and a follower.  I’m just pointing out the difference to give you something to think about.

So, now, how would you describe your relationship with the Lord???