2023 is almost here. As we head into a new year, there is something I am taking with me: the love and support from my loved ones. This may sound a bit cliché or mushy or perhaps downright silly, but it is nonetheless the truth. In 2022, I learned how to receive from others- I do not mean in a selfish taking type of way. I mean I learned how to allow others to give me their love when they are trying to give it, accept that love, and wholly cherish it. It sounds a bit weird to talk about, but I have never been good at receiving, especially when it is love and support.
In the past, I have either been downright skeptical of it and pushed it away or I would go overboard in trying to either equalize or give more love and support in return because I never felt worthy of it being given on its own. On a side note, this is a fantastic way to become easily taken advantage of. Nevertheless, in a way, equalizing or giving more love and support was a way for me to feel that it was okay to receive the love and support being given to me and not feel guilty about it being given. If I ever acted awkward with you for buying my lunch or just doing something nice for me or handling something that made my life easier, this is why. Receiving does not come easy for me. It can be likened to you handing me something that would make my life more bearable and me just holding it in my hands, not knowing what to do with it, and me ultimately just sitting it down and looking at it from a distance- never fully understanding that it was okay to take or utilizing it to its full, intended purpose.
By the grace of God, 2022 was different. I had people in my life who did not give up on me when they attempted to give me love and support. They stuck it out and helped me learn how to receive the love and support they were willingly trying to give me. They had patience and understanding. They could have easily given up and walked away, but they did not. They just waited. I think that by their willingness to wait, something inside me changed. It helped me to know that it was not only safe for them to love and support me, but that it was good and something I needed in my life. I did not have to do anything to make myself worthy of receiving it. This is something I will always cherish. I will always be grateful for.
My prayer and intention for 2023 is to give this love and support to others while continuing to receive it for myself, knowing just how wonderful of a gift it is to be able to receive.
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8 (NIV), 2011).
References
Romans 13:8 (NIV). (2011). Bible Gateway. Retrieved December 31, 2022, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13:8
