Robbed Of A Blessing
A short and simple Christmas message.51 total reviews
Comment from hyway94
Who cares what or how it's written. I'm no one to try and tell someone how to write. The message was there. What I want to know is, if you gave the same amount to the church would he have given it back since you couldn't afford it. If didn't in that case then he should have accepted it.
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Who cares what or how it's written. I'm no one to try and tell someone how to write. The message was there. What I want to know is, if you gave the same amount to the church would he have given it back since you couldn't afford it. If didn't in that case then he should have accepted it.
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from lovemyta
I thought it had a good message and was as good as a sermon. It made my heart melt for the young woman as I read it. God bless you in many more ways.
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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I thought it had a good message and was as good as a sermon. It made my heart melt for the young woman as I read it. God bless you in many more ways.
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much! I really appreciate your review.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from babylonia
jan,
this was a tough lesson i learned as well. i robbed a few people of their gifts. i have learned to say thank you and move on. appreciating their heartfelt care.
in a way it was condescending. he "assumed" you couldn't afford to pay for his meal. i'm sorry he did that at that moment. another place and time, you could have pointed out the lesson to him that you showed us. i do know that the restaurant wasn't the place.
thanks for sharing with us. i hope many understand what you were saying.
love,
barbara
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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jan,
this was a tough lesson i learned as well. i robbed a few people of their gifts. i have learned to say thank you and move on. appreciating their heartfelt care.
in a way it was condescending. he "assumed" you couldn't afford to pay for his meal. i'm sorry he did that at that moment. another place and time, you could have pointed out the lesson to him that you showed us. i do know that the restaurant wasn't the place.
thanks for sharing with us. i hope many understand what you were saying.
love,
barbara
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much, Barbara.
Hugs,
Jan
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jan,
you are welcome~
love,
barbara
Comment from azbukivedi
This made me think. You know, you are right. The only thing is, how do you know if the gift was given from the heart or out of politeness? If the person truly can't afford it but feels obliged, it's not an easy situation...
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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This made me think. You know, you are right. The only thing is, how do you know if the gift was given from the heart or out of politeness? If the person truly can't afford it but feels obliged, it's not an easy situation...
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much, Sara. Most gifts given anonymously, or at least attempted to be given in that manner, are probably spontaneous.
I do appreciate the fine review. Thanks! :-)
Jan
Comment from Lady & Louis
At least (I would guess) he was doing it out of care for you, knowing your circumstances - but yes, I agree it would have been better to accept the gift. Ah well ... I'm sure the blessing comes home to the giver, regardless of whether it's accepted by the receiver. The gift was made, the intent there; that's what would count, I reckon.
I don't see any reason to downgrade you on this one, hon. No spag, it's told simply and cleanly (I guessed it was you at the start) and doesn't waste words. What's to downgrade?
Hugs,
Louise
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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At least (I would guess) he was doing it out of care for you, knowing your circumstances - but yes, I agree it would have been better to accept the gift. Ah well ... I'm sure the blessing comes home to the giver, regardless of whether it's accepted by the receiver. The gift was made, the intent there; that's what would count, I reckon.
I don't see any reason to downgrade you on this one, hon. No spag, it's told simply and cleanly (I guessed it was you at the start) and doesn't waste words. What's to downgrade?
Hugs,
Louise
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much, Louise. You are a sweetie.
Hugs,
Jan
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Likewise!
Comment from Marathonwriter
Janilou,
It is a wonderful message that we can all learn from. Thanks for sharing it. It doesn't matter that it's not your best writing as you say--which I don't agree with(even though I haven't read anything else of yours.) It's from the heart and that is what matters most. We have many people's best writing, but not enough from their hearts. Thank you again for a wonderful reminder.
Love,
Marathonwriter
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Janilou,
It is a wonderful message that we can all learn from. Thanks for sharing it. It doesn't matter that it's not your best writing as you say--which I don't agree with(even though I haven't read anything else of yours.) It's from the heart and that is what matters most. We have many people's best writing, but not enough from their hearts. Thank you again for a wonderful reminder.
Love,
Marathonwriter
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed reading this.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from TheDon
Original: The church she attended was far from their home...
Suggested: The church she attended stood far from their home... (Shifting from the passive to the active. I'm not terribly impressed with "stood" perhaps you can think of a better word to describe the church or maybe the people who went there)
You say "In that instance" and I think the "in" should not be capitalized and the "instance" should be "instant" for greater blunt effect. Your call, though.
The sentiment and the message of the story remains profound, and these adjustments are too minor to reduce the rating.
I hope this helps and good luck.
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Original: The church she attended was far from their home...
Suggested: The church she attended stood far from their home... (Shifting from the passive to the active. I'm not terribly impressed with "stood" perhaps you can think of a better word to describe the church or maybe the people who went there)
You say "In that instance" and I think the "in" should not be capitalized and the "instance" should be "instant" for greater blunt effect. Your call, though.
The sentiment and the message of the story remains profound, and these adjustments are too minor to reduce the rating.
I hope this helps and good luck.
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you very much! :-)I corrected the first one, and will take a look at the other suggestions as well. I really appreciate your comments.
Jan
Comment from Penpal
Hello Jan,
This is a poignant piece which points to human nature and how we sometime's don't react in the right way. Being gracious and accepting a gift sometimes is not easy. I recently recieved a gift from fellow employees who pooled together to pay for a vet's visit for my suffering cat, who I was torn over, but simply couldn't afford the expense at the time. I was doing everything I could at home. The cat's good health was more important to me to refuse it, yet at first, I felt embarrassment. But, after my sweet kitty was treated and happy, my embarrassment changed to happiness and pure appreciation for the well meant gift.
What's really great about the whole thing, is they wanted to help, and it made them happy that they could. There's a lesson to be learned in accepting gifts, isn't there.
I enjoyed your story, especially that it's true. Thanks for sharing.
Penpal
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Hello Jan,
This is a poignant piece which points to human nature and how we sometime's don't react in the right way. Being gracious and accepting a gift sometimes is not easy. I recently recieved a gift from fellow employees who pooled together to pay for a vet's visit for my suffering cat, who I was torn over, but simply couldn't afford the expense at the time. I was doing everything I could at home. The cat's good health was more important to me to refuse it, yet at first, I felt embarrassment. But, after my sweet kitty was treated and happy, my embarrassment changed to happiness and pure appreciation for the well meant gift.
What's really great about the whole thing, is they wanted to help, and it made them happy that they could. There's a lesson to be learned in accepting gifts, isn't there.
I enjoyed your story, especially that it's true. Thanks for sharing.
Penpal
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I am so glad you enjoyed this.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from rmdelta
jan,
what a feeling that must have been. of course, the pastor had no idea he would be hurting you by not accepting your gift. Then again, a thoughtful pastor should have seen the very deep pain when he put your money back on your table. He should have seen the harm, if only he had looked.
Sweet Jan, my sweet Jan. Darling, you can pay for my meal anytime. It will not be turned down, promise.
Reggie
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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jan,
what a feeling that must have been. of course, the pastor had no idea he would be hurting you by not accepting your gift. Then again, a thoughtful pastor should have seen the very deep pain when he put your money back on your table. He should have seen the harm, if only he had looked.
Sweet Jan, my sweet Jan. Darling, you can pay for my meal anytime. It will not be turned down, promise.
Reggie
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you, Reggie. You are so sweet to me. Bless your heart. I may just do that someday.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from lupinelinda
Jani, I think this is a lovely parable. It resonated with me. It reminded me of the word, "mitzvah" which means blessing. In the Jewish faith, when you give someone something from your heart, you give a mitzvah AND, the person receiving your gift gives you a blessing by receiving it graciously.
Just one thing, the second to last sentence reads awkwardly. I looked at it several times, I know what you are saying, but I can't quite get it to read for me. It could be me...I'm a bit tired.
At any rate, my kudos to you! Peace and happy holidays, L
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Jani, I think this is a lovely parable. It resonated with me. It reminded me of the word, "mitzvah" which means blessing. In the Jewish faith, when you give someone something from your heart, you give a mitzvah AND, the person receiving your gift gives you a blessing by receiving it graciously.
Just one thing, the second to last sentence reads awkwardly. I looked at it several times, I know what you are saying, but I can't quite get it to read for me. It could be me...I'm a bit tired.
At any rate, my kudos to you! Peace and happy holidays, L
Comment Written 15-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 16-Dec-2008
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I am so glad you enjoyed this. I'll take a look at that sentence.
Hugs,
Jan
