Drowning in Love

Ever since a prayer request went out for me last Friday, I've been overwhelmed with cards, phone calls, emails, and offers. Everyone wants to bring us a meal, and I am having a hard time accepting any of the offers. It began with Nell, our neighbor across the street and a member of the church. She would hear nothing of my protestations and insisted on bringing over food, so she came over on Saturday. Meanwhile, she spoke to two of our other neighbors, one of whom dropped by on Sunday to visit and see if there's anything we need and the other will apparently be calling to find out when she can bring over a meal. I already told the church secretary that I didn't want her to send out a request for meals, but the offers came rolling in anyway. When I told the children's council that my parents will be coming to visit as a way to refuse the offer, they volunteered to bring meals for after they leave. One woman left a message on my cell phone offering to bring a meal, coffee, dessert, anything. Others have sent cards asking me to call if we need anything. With the exception of Nell, I've turned them all down so far. Until today. Today, one of the women who'd sent a card called and asked if she could bring me Chick-fil-A and visit with me for lunch. I decided to accept, and we ended up talking for 2 hours, which was a great way to spend the afternoon. I think I'm much more agreeable to having people bring lunch because it's not encroaching on my time with C, plus it's less likely that I'll end up with food we don't eat (like the chicken salad and potato salad Nell brought, which I feel horrible about not eating, but I just can't deal with mayonnaise). I am so grateful for the prayers and support, but I feel so guilty accepting anything. Who am I that these people would bring food? There are people so much worse off than me! I don't feel that being on bed rest makes me deserving. And yet, I know that that's not the point. These people are in ministry to me, and by declining their offers, I'm not allowing them to serve. The whole thing just makes me uncomfortable.

One gesture of love absolutely blew me away, though. My father's sister always sends cards for birthdays, etc. and has gone out of her way to connect with me about church and seminary (she gives money to a scholarship fund that supports several of my classmates). Out of the blue, I received an email this morning informing me that she sent a $25 Amazon gift card with the sweetest note about how she wants me to get some new reading material while I'm on bed rest. She doesn't have a lot of extra money, so that makes it mean even more.

I know I'm so blessed to have a family and church community that cares so much about me. I just wish I could get more comfortable with accepting their help.