Brandon was always helping others. He never gave a second thought to laying himself aside to jump right in when someone called. Complete strangers would even ask Brandon for help, it was amazing how many people saw him as someone always available to them.

Brandon was an unconditional giver; many times his giving left him though without anything for himself or his immediate family. Brandon was a father of two children, ages 8 and 10. He'd been married 16 years and worked for a local pharmaceutical company selling supplies to hospitals around his city. The job was fitting to Brandon's character. His working with various hospitals brought him into contact with sick people- some with minor aliments, and some trying to prolong their lives. Brandon had a regular routine of checking in and stopping to do 'extra' things for those who were in the hospital wards for more than a few days. Always giving, never replenishing self, was Brandon.

Brandon began to tire; his family felt him detach.

I met Brandon one day when he was lying curled up in a ball in a chair in the cancer wing of a local hospital. Brandon had all is boxes of pharmaceuticals stacked next to his chair and his paper work had fallen and scattered onto the floor. The circles under his eyes were dark and his eyelids were heavy. His cheeks were sunken and his skin coloring pallid, honestly Brandon looked worse than most of the cancer patients on the entire floor. The best description of Brandon would be, he looked like death warmed over…several times over.

I scooped up Brandon's paperwork off the floor and sat down next to him. I introduced myself as one of the hospital staff directors and asked if he was okay and if I could get him anything. He mumbled something like; "I don’t know how to receive." I touched his cold icy hand and said, "Brandon I know we've just met, but I want to share something very important with you." His eyes looked up slowly at me. "Brandon, I said as I sat down next to him, I know a great man who was the largest giver to have ever walked this earth. His name Brandon was, Christ-the Son of God." Brandon looked at me puzzled and said, "Don't need to preach, I know who Jesus is. Our family attends worship services and Bible class at least three times a week. Reassuringly I said to him, "Brandon I am not saying you are or you are not a religious person. I didn't know when I sat down next to you what you believed, but I could sense by your words that you need Christ's healing strength and you need a friend." Tears filled Brandon's eyes. He stated that know one ever seemed to be interested in giving anything back to him. He understood the only way to ever have acceptance was to over achieve at "just giving" of himself. Even if it meant his dying- for acceptance.

We sat and talked for almost and hour. I helped show Brandon that in order to receive one must see first that they are worthy. Christ taught worthiness is deserved in the scriptures, remember if one doesn’t love self, and nurture their own- how can they really love anyone else? Brandon asked me how to receive properly. I took him to the Bible and showed him how many times Christ went off alone to pray and talk with our Heavenly Father. "What do you think Christ the greatest giver of all time was trying to do when He went off alone and prayed Brandon?" Brandon thought for a moment and the light bulb of hope and understanding turned itself on. He smiled and said, "Christ was receiving strength from the Father to persevere. To communicate His thoughts and concerns with the one who can bring us all comfort. Christ could give, because He knew how and where to go to receive comfort and strength. Through communication with God I can receive this too." Hugging each other as two brothers traveling towards our goal of Heaven, I knew Brandon was now on his way to being made whole.

I would run into Brandon every now and then at the hospital ward. His eyes sparkled and his step was light. We'd share a cup of coffee at the hospital cafeteria and he'd tell me how he felt now that he had placed his life into proper order. God was first; his day always began with time alone in communication with God. His wife was happy and they shared prayer together with God. Their two children knew their father for being the best dad and they felt peace and security within their home. Dad and mom studied and prayed with their kids daily, teaching them how to receive God into their lives, so they all would know as a family how to give properly. I was so happy to see Brandon's growth. He had God working completely in his life and he was teaching his family that they, next to God, were the most valuable beings here on this earth.

Givers too often have a misconception about themselves and how they fit into this world. God never asks us to walk this road alone. He tells us that He is there to be our guide and our light. If we will study and obey Him, going to Him often in prayer and ask for wisdom, discernment, daily needs, love, balance, protection and whatever else may need attention as we journey here towards Heaven our Home. God is there for us all, if we only will communicate with Him and receive what He has lain out before us.

 

 

 

 

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