What Have I Received?

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

I recently listened to a podcast, and the day’s guest posed an interesting exercise. Instead of suggesting a gratitude list, he asked listeners to consider the question “In the last twenty-four hours, what have I received from _____?”

Our answers help us recognize how often we fail to notice what people do for us regularly. We might be grateful for a person’s presence in our life, while overlooking the tangible ways they demonstrate care. For example, if I consider what I’ve received from my husband in the last twenty-four hours, I could list many actions: He hugged me good morning. He picked up donuts for our daughter’s birthday and dropped off the kids at school. He filled the gas tank and washed the car. He went to work to support our family. He sent me funny memes and stayed connected via text. He picked up the grocery store order on the way home. He asked about my day and provided support and feedback. The list goes on and on.

All too often, we downplay or overlook the ways people smooth the rough edges of our day. Instead, we focus on what they aren’t doing right.

This charge to consider what we’ve received from others doesn’t apply only to loved ones. A coworker who did their part on a team project, a neighbor who always says hello, or a business that provided excellent service can all be added to the tally of what we’ve received.

In God’s economy, we are each meant to work together as various parts of one body. What sounds like an exercise in selfishness—What have I received?—is an exercise in humility. We are a lot more interdependent than we’d like to think. When we honestly consider the balance of what we’ve received versus what we’ve given, we recognize that we can never fully repay the small acts of assistance others provide. And when we take time to notice how well someone else is fulfilling their role, we honor each part of the body of Christ.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Consider some of the close relationships in your life, both work and personal. Respond to the question “In the last twenty-four hours, what have I received from _____?”