Giver
The bloodmobile is coming again; I’ll be on one of the couches. I like to be there. I’ve been donation blood all of my adult life because it is something simple that I can do that directly benefits others. So it is good for me to be there.
Every now and then I receive a notice telling me that I have donated a gallon. To the one giving the notice it is a big deal. But I don’t even know how many of those one-gallon notices I’ve received over the years.
What I do remember are the words that a nurse said: "Your blood will help at least two people." Now, that’s something to think about. It makes me feel good.
It is so easy to donate blood. In a short time it all comes back anyway. I don’t know how my body goes that, it just does. It’s like tithing, I never seem to go replace what I’ve given. It isn’t automatic. Some people teach we should give to get. I don’t teach that. We give whether or not we receive, but experience does show that the care of God for us promised in Scripture is there. Or love. I find that loving someone makes me feel more loved. I can’t seem to give love away. It keeps me coming back.
Kindness too. People keep treating me kindly when I do a kindness to them. I can’t give kindness away either. These are interesting miracles. They keep happening. Some people miss out, of course I know that. I’ve heard that only about 5 percent body loves me, nobody ever does anything for me." That’s their focus-"me."
Well, I’m selfish too. After all, they serve refreshments at the bloodmobile for those who donate. Last time, as the nurse gently inserted the needle into my arm and the blood flowed into the tube, I grinned at her and said. "I’ll don anything for a cookies."
