Two days ago I gave this friend of mine, who is not very close to me, a belated birthday gift. The reason behind this was the Bible verse I read that morning, "it is more blessed to give than to receive" which prompted me to make good our relationship, with the help of God.
I felt very happy that day when I gave her the gift; it was like a stone off my chest in the sense that I was able to confront this situation with the Lord, asking Him for forgiveness and wisdom to reach out in love.
My friend never responded to me about the gift, not that I expected anything from her. Instead, she commented to another friend that it was not good of me to start the habit of giving gifts again. Worst of all, when she found the printing of the Chinese word "Buddha" on the plastic bag which the gift was packaged in, she questioned my Christian motives. Little did she know the time I have spent in choosing and creating the card, the Bible verse book mark enclosed and the way it was packaged in love and sealed with a prayer.
"Why, why, tell me why..." was the song that ran through my mind, before I remembered that everything happens for a reason and there is a lesson to be learnt in all circumstances.
Can someone enlighten me?
What should I do?
How should I react?
by "nobody"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Words To Live By.... from Mother Theresa
ReplyDeletePeople are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that."
(Luke 6:32-33)
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
(Gal 6:9-10)
Dear “nobody”,
ReplyDeleteI can think of 3 issues here that we need to deal with:
1. Is the gift appropriate? If the intention of the gift is to bring about closeness between your friend and God, you have done nothing wrong, because you did it in the name of Christ. However, this belated birthday gift causing her to comment on your habit of giving gifts (again), you may need to re-think your way of showing love to her. Maybe a simple hug, a Bible verse or a word of comfort would be sufficient. Remember not all gifts are seen as love.
2. Are you “blameless” in this situation? Finding “Buddha” in the gift bag causing her to doubt your Christian faith can only imply that either she does not know you or she is not a Christian. You have to beware that this world will try very hard to find fault in Christian; therefore you have to be extra careful in your “packaging.”
3. Is “gossiping” involved here? Whenever there is a 3rd person involved like this, it is not a healthy situation. The 3rd person should have told the “receiver” to deal directly with the “giver” as Matthew Chapter 18:15 said “….if your brother sins against you, go and tell his fault between you and him alone….” The emphasis here is “alone.”
My dear “nobody”, your intention is good but maybe your execution has flaw. Re-think your strategy to help your friend to get to know God.
albert
Dear Albert (Abby?)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
1. The gift was meant to reconcile the broken relationship between me and her, rather than between her and God. Yes, apart from the gift, there was a Bible verse included.
2. Yes, all three of us have accepted Christ many years ago, though we do not serve in the same church. I do not think I'll ever be "blameless" in any situation. Honest to God, I think I have done my best.
3. What really bothered me was the fact that she did not respond to my gift directly according to Matthew 18:15, but went to a third person instead to voice her "complaints". Using the same principal, I e-mailed her to carefully explain my stand point.
Praise the Lord, "thank you for your gift" was her reply.
Thank you all for your prayers, the Bible verses and Abby's clear explanation.
a grateful "nobody"