TEACHINGS FROM THE HEART by Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are the authors of The Only 3 Discipline Strategies You Will Ever Need. They are two of the world’s foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. They publish a free Uncommon Parenting blog. To obtain more information about how they can help you or your group meet your parenting needs, visit their website today: www.uncommon-parenting.com.
Give Your Receiving
Charles was a fifty-yearold man who was a giver. He gave help, money, time, and energy to all who needed it.
When his grown children came to visit, he took them out to dinner and paid the bill. “When you come to see me, I treat,” he told them. When he went to visit his children, he took them out to dinner and again paid the bill. “When I am on vacation, I treat,” he explained.
Charles was a generous man who would have given his children the shirt off his back. Indeed, he gave much, yet he neglected to give his children one important thing. He did not give them his receiving.
Charles gave and gave, and because of his generosity, he got to feel good. The problem is, he deprived his grown children of the opportunity to feel good. In his presence, they never got to be the giver.
Milton’s grandson wanted to buy him an ice cream cone. The boy had three dollars in change in his pocket. That was the entire sum of the child’s monetary assets. Milton had sixty-five dollars in bills in his wallet and a portfolio that would ensure he would never have to work again. Milton said, “Thank you,” as he accepted the generosity offered by his grandson. The smile on the boy’s face exceeded the outline of ice cream that was soon deposited there.
Yes, it is important to be a giver.
Yes, charity and generosity are important. And, there are times when you have to give something more important than your giving. It is important to give your receiving.