Donating Blood

Written March 25th 2014

I donated blood this past weekend, but I opted to donate my Red Blood Cells only.

This is a much longer process in which blood is taken from me, a machine extracts the Red Blood Cells only and then my blood is returned into my vein mixed with a saline solution.

For me there was nothing different in the process, the needle was the same size, everything was simple. The “giving” was easy.

However, when the “return” process began I could feel the coolness of the solution going into my vein and it was strange.  There was no pain or discomfort in any way however there was a cool sensation that I had never received before.  When you have an IV you don’t normally feel the solution but with this process I could feel something going “in” and it was strange.  So, I began to ponder, how come it’s so easy for me to give blood, but not so easy to receive blood……. and that began a blog.

For most of us giving is easy as long as it is something we can let go of and we do not suffer too much discomfort.

I’m thinking of

time

words

encouragement

love

friendship

feelings

and sometimes even money.

However,  some of us (I’m thinking of myself) have a very different reaction when we are on the receiving end.

When I was busy working on fundraising for Africa I took money from anyone who offered. I was happy to receive money for a mission trip because I felt like I was going to “earn” their help.

I have since been in situations where I was on the receiving end of money that I did not earn. There was no glamorous Christian goal to accomplish, there was simply a hole in my bank account and I needed help. Help came and I was embarrassed.

Needing help is like getting the return into my vein on the blood bus. It is a strange sensation that makes me uncomfortable. I would much prefer to give.

Ladies, I’m preaching a sermon here. My blood and money examples can translate to the Message of Jesus.

 He was born of a virgin, grew up, performed miracles, died a sinless death, and rose from the dead on the third day to take away the sins of the whole world.

To be saved and live in Heaven eternally we must accept His gift of salvation.

Most of us have lived so long in our Christian existence that we need to be reminded…we do not earn anything.

For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 King James Version (KJV)