My daughter had overbought several times over the last six months so her food pantry was full and she wasn’t sure she would be able to eat all the stuff she had left. She asked me then to donate two full boxes of dry goods to the local food pantry. I was happy to do so and took them over. I was overwhelmed, though, by the enthusiasm, the joy, and the love with which her donation was received. The lack of donations plus the high price of groceries had hit the charity hard and their shelves needed every donation they could get. We were thanked over and over and as I drove home smiling my mind went back to another time when we were the ones in need.

Money was tight. My job barely paid the rent and extra bills that month had cut into what we had saved for the groceries. My next check was a week away and we didn’t have enough food to get us there. We went to a food pantry and I watched our little kids playing outside while my wife picked up a box full of food to feed us. I was worried, nervous, and scared. I had never had to seek help like this before and I just hoped it would be enough so our children wouldn’t go hungry that week. My heart swelled with gratitude when my wife finally walked out with a smile on her face and the box in her arms. And as we drove home I silently prayed and thanked God for all the good people who had given so we would not go hungry.

Our Heavenly Father created this great, big, round world for all of us to live on. It is one huge circle of love. Sometimes you are giving that love to others. And sometimes you are receiving that love from others. It is all the same, however. It is all one. It doesn’t matter whether you are giving with love or receiving with love as long as you are LIVING WITH LOVE.

Take your place in the circle then. Never be ashamed to receive a gift of love. Never be afraid to give a gift of love. It is what we are all here for. It is what life is all about.