Giving and Receiving
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
—Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now
Happy Veterans Day to all the military men and women who so generously serve our country to protect our freedoms. Their dedication puts them on the top rung of being selfless and American heroes.
Volunteers dedicated to worthy cause will often tell you it feels good to give of their service, and most would say it is better to give than receive. But, sometimes it’s really hard to distinguish whether it’s better to give than receive. For instance, to any person who is part of a prayer shawl ministry, the giver or maker (the person who knits or crochets prayer shawls/ blankets and prayer patches – small squares) would tell you it is cathartic or healing to do something productive and creative to help lift up other people.
However, the recipients of the prayer shawls/blankets/prayer squares, such as folks in the hospital and hospice, in eldercare and veterans facilities say it feels so good to be on the receiving end of such tangible tokens of care and compassion from others.
If you are interested in doing something creative with your time, and know the very basic stitches of crochet or knitting, get involved with a prayer shawl ministry at a local church in your neighborhood. In Harford County, MD there are several including Bel Air United Methodist Church. The time commitment is little and the rewards are great. And you will be helping others by doing something you enjoy doing!
