Two basic kinds of people
I like to “people watch”. All kinds of people. I sure do discover a lot just by watching and listening. From the time I was very young, I was taught that basically, there are two kinds of people in this world. There are the Givers. And there are the Takers.

I have a “Sue ‘em” friend
Whenever something bad happens, I have one friend that always suggests that I “sue ‘em”. Like when I broke my tooth eating a hamburger at a downtown restaurant. Or when I fell, hitting both knees really hard on a slippery floor when the server bumped into me at a different restaurant a few years later. Her first response each time was that I should sue. I did NOT sue. Stuff happens. It was nobody’s fault. No restaurant can perfectly prepare for all things that MIGHT happen. So, I am at peace. I am not all wrought up in the midst of some legal battle trying to prove I was done wrong! And God provided for me HIS way and all is well after the tooth incident and after the fall.

Tribute to friendship
I have a friend who is a giver and she loves to serve others. For instance, a couple days ago, after her day at work, she texted to say she was on her way to the grocery store and wondered if I needed anything. Well, my phone was charging in the other room, so when I saw the text an hour later, I texted to thank her for the offer, and apologized for not responding sooner, but that I had just read her message. She got back in her car and went back to the store to get me some groceries. That is a Giver. She is most definitely NOT a Taker! I protested but she insisted, even though it was cold and snowy but she loves to help people. I am not the only one she blesses!

Faithful and true
Another friend is a Giver. She gives in a different way. We have known each other for more than 40 years. True friendship is revealed in the sands of time. She knows me inside and out. And can detect what is going on as soon as she hears my voice. We no longer live in the same town, but when I am discouraged, I can call her and she is faithful to give me the gift of her time. And she listens and gives affirmations. And I am refreshed. I am not the only one she blesses!

Back to the title of this blog post…
Flag boy is a young boy who noticed Veterans graves that did not have flags on them. On his own, because he loves Veterans and wanted to honor them, he has placed flags on tons of graves. He just quietly served those who had served us so valiantly. He is a Giver. A Giver of Honor. He has not sought honor in return. But somehow, our President got wind of what this young man did and he was in the balcony for the State of the Union address. A symbol of the great American spirit. That boy’s spirit was sweet and peaceful. Not at all wrought up. As though he realizes the tremendous PRIVILEGE it is to live in this United States of America. It was a joy to see his Mama sitting next to him.

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In contrast
Clock boy for a school project, took clock parts out of one clock and put it in a different container and claimed he had made a clock. There were wires hanging out of the box (which did not at all look like a clock from the outside) and because of so many horrendous things that have already happened in our schools, someone thought it might be a bomb. It was awful what happened to him. He was hauled away in handcuffs. When they found out it was not a bomb, he was released and this is where it gets dicey. There was lots of media coverage and he appeared on lots of interviews. And he and his father sued and were very angry and wrought up. complaining they had RIGHTS. Which they do. But remember, the boy originally LIED about creating the clock, and it did not at all look like a clock. It really did look like it could be a bomb…so he is not without any blame at all.

In thinking about all this…
I wonder if he ever thought of apologizing for scaring so many people who thought it was a bomb. Stuff happens. Awful stuff happens and it is awful what happened to him. But he and his dad complained about the USA. And how badly he was treated. And he got a lot of attention and sympathy. But then, he also got a scholarship to Qatar. He got a lot of stuff. He has since decided to come BACK to the United States. He has been a Taker with high expectations of what he deserves. Sad. He continues to be wrought up and has missed so much peace by trying to prove his RIGHTS and that he had been done wrong.

So which are you?
Are you a “Sue ‘em” type Taker person … or a Giver person? We are all done wrong throughout our lives. But what matters is how we react (internally in our spirit) to that “wrong”. Which kind of person do you think Jesus and His disciples were? They were beaten, spit on, treated with contempt, left for dead after severe beatings, called horrible names, and yet the Lord told them to not return in kind. Rather, He said,

”Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” –Matthew 5:16 (NAS)

What is our focus to be?
It is not about me. It is not about you. It is about you and me bringing glory to our Father who is in Heaven. May it be so, loved ones. May it be so. It is not about our rights! It is about our “heart” condition. Let’s pray for each other that daily we may grow closer to Him and more like Him than the day before! Amen? Amen! (So be it!)

Until next time…Thank you for all you do!

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
Awaiting His shout,


The MomCourager™