Quote of the Day: “There’s always the feeling of getting stronger. I think that’s what keeps me going.” Frank Shorter, marathoner.
Exercise Log: Sue and I walked around the neighborhood. We went 3.07 miles. (+2.40) Sue is running the Utah Valley Marathon tomorrow so we needed to go short. I am anxious to get some yard work done so I will have to exercise later.
I have been thinking a lot of this idea of receiving service. Having taught so many years about giving service and the benefits of that on the human soul, being put in the position where you are receiving so much generosity and service from others, gives me a lot to ponder. I think several things can happen when you are on the receiving end of people’s service. (1) You can become complacent about receiving such kindness and start to underestimate its value and/or (2) You start to expect that people are here to serve you and expect them to take care of you and/or (3) You start to believe that you have nothing to give back and question your self-worth and/or (4) you pledge that you will remember and never forget the kindnesses bestowed in your behalf and you will give back- somehow you can’t repay every kindness- but just passing it on to the next person in need will suffice.
I had no idea that receiving service was so complicated and really I glossed over it in my lessons on Service Learning. I needed to be taught what it means to receive service.
In 2001, I went with a group of students on a humanitarian trip to Mexico. We worked for about 5 days in a remote village helping them to build water-catchment systems and Lorena stoves for their homes. These were 2 very needed improvements. Catchment systems meant that they could use the rainwater for their needs without having to walk to the nearest water source and carry water back. Also important- the water could be kept clean in the catchment systems. Furthermore, these dear people had been cooking in their homes without any ventilation causing them to die early of lung disease and other ailments. The Lorena Stove was simple- it meant putting a vent to the outside so the air inside stayed clean. I was overwhelmed with the thought that it was the 21st century and with all the technology available in the world, these people were reduced to living life in the roughest of conditions. But here’s one thing that I learned that stayed with me. We weren’t there to just give to them, we were there to work beside them and help them. Each family had to earn some of the costs of these home improvements. These weren’t just given to them. We were taught that you don’t just give things away, even as small as a ball to a child, because it takes away people’s dignity if they are on the receiving end and have nothing to give in return.
So, to be sure, one needs to be gracious about receiving service but it feels so good to be able to give back. We can’t forget that piece of the puzzle.
Alex returns from Denmark today! Picture coming!!!
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