The Fine Art of Being Loved On

My friend makes coffee for me at work. She doesn't have to, but she does it because I share it with her and she is there at work before me, and we're friends. Several years ago I would have felt guilty about this - "she has other things to do besides make my coffee"; "I'm not important enough to be waited on"; "I shouldn't take advantage of her friendship to let her make my coffee when I'm capable of doing it for myself." (This is my mother speaking in my head, I'm afraid!) But after some long, hard work, I've come to accept that she doesn't make my coffee because I'm too lazy to do it myself - she is doing it because she is loving on me!  

Do you have someone who loves on you? Do you accept it, or do you feel guilty about it and discourage them?

For those of you who don't understand the concept, it's when someone does something for you when they don't have to, but they want to. Being loved on is when you are on the receiving end of the good deeds I spoke about last post. Maybe you don't understand what the big deal is about this...after all, we're a society of consumers, which means someone has to provide the things and services we consume. However, comsumerism is not the same thing - being loved on is not something that you pay for; that would defeat the purpose. I'm speaking of grace or unconditional love. Still not getting it? A few years ago, I had someone who bought me several shirts and presented them to me. When I offered to pay for them, she told me she didn't want money. She bought them because when she was shopping she saw them and thought I would look good in them. That was very difficult for me to accept, but I did and I wore them for a long time - and I did look good in them, thank you for asking!

While doing nice things for others just because is great, it's only half the equation. Accepting the love others want to give is just as important. It takes accepting your own self-worth and understanding that others love you. You are deserving of that love! It's a lesson I have learned after many years.

So my hope for you until I write again, is that you have many who love on you, and you find many to love on, as well.

God bless!
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