Try to do people a favour or give them a bargain or something at cost price, without making a profit out of them. You will note one thing for sure – here are no “grey areas”. They either accept elegantly or reject awkwardly! The latter phenomena had always left me speechless. Try it and experience the feelings of utter thanklessness, rejection, ungratefulness … you name it!
This had me baffled until recently when I realised that there is something missing in a person’s life that cannot just say a simple “thanks’’, what more to say, express their appreciation, for going out of your way to help them. I came to realise that people who cannot accept a gift, are usually the one’s who find it hard to give. They will only give, if there’s something in it for them – if they can score at a later stage on the long run. This must be one of the reasons why they do not accept gracefully. They are scared that they will have to deliver or perform something in return later on in their lives.
To accept Gracefully is Godly. In John 1:14, we find the word “grace” being used in the third person relating to Jesus: And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled (dwelt) among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth. The root word of grace here is “charis” from:
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
It strikes one that to be Graceful is a Devine characteristic.
A year or so ago a South African ex-minister of defence (during the apartheid era) washed the feet of Frank Chikane (a present cabinet member). This act of Adriaan Vlok resulted in a lot of publicity. All the local newspapers were full of this act of his. He then took it to the next level, visiting previously disadvantaged women and washed their feet as well. This resulted in even more publicity for Vlok. Photographs were published of this old man already in his seventies or even older, on his knees in front of black women with a basin with water in it and a towel (whether he used soap was never mentioned).
What was said of him? A lot of journalists made this act of him, out to be “Jesus-like”! This did not fit right for me. I felt disgusted and went to my Bible trying to find any resemblance: Jesus did wash the feet of His disciples.
In John 13:6-9 “He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, Lord, do You wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, You do not know what I do now, but you shall know hereafter. Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, unless I wash you, you have no part with Me. Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and head.”
Can You see the difference? Here Jesus was washing their feet, because He Loved them. Because he wanted to make them part of Him, to share His love. He did not do it because He owed them anything, or because He felt guilt as to anything wrong that He did to them.
This then translates into blasphemous characteristics bestowed on Vlok. A man who mistreated black members of society. An old man (now) full of guilt! In finding that these bestowments were 180 degrees out of line with the Truth (a word that was even used in conjunction wit h the word “grace”, in the first text), I then said something, not knowing the prophetic value of my words, or meaning to be prophetic in any way. I said: “Watch it, one of these days, Vlok will be prosecuted for some or other act against the people.” I really felt pity for him the other day, when it was announced that there are a number of cases piling up against him for cruel and mean acts, while he was cabinet minister.
I cannot stop this rendition without referring to the minority of people who accepts a gift gracefully. They make the act of giving such joy! They are invariably of a higher order or class (sorry, to use the word “class”). This is exactly what is meant by the phrase; “that person has class”. Class is very descriptive of the gracefulness of these fine examples of mankind. They are also very full of love and are generally the first to Give, not only material things, but also things like love, respect and affection.
What is to be remembered from this is to always tend to accept gracefully, even if you may not be in a position to give materially, give classy love full of grace!
Jan A Meyer is a Researcher into Bibles and Writer of Spiritual Books and articles. He holds a 4 year BA degree in Communications. Born outside Kroonstad in South Africa, he now resides on a farm in the Cullinan-district, near Pretoria, South Africa. Please his websites at http://anime4u.truewebs.info/ or http://angellove.truewebs.info/ or http://games4u.truewebs.info
Tags: acceptance, awkwardly, class, elegance, gift, give, grace, gracefully, joy, Love, pleasure, thankful
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