A few months ago, I heard something that stuck with me.

I was watching a guy on YouTube who goes around doing things for people—acts of service, completely free, no strings attached. And when people try to pay him or give something back, he usually says, “Just pay it forward.” But a couple of times, he paused and said something different. He said he realized that sometimes, by refusing what someone was trying to give him, he was actually blocking their blessing.

That stopped me for a second.

Because my first instinct, almost always, is to say, “Oh no, you don’t have to do that. I’m fine.” And I mean it. I don’t want to inconvenience anyone. I don’t want to feel like I owe someone something. I don’t want to take more than I give.

But ever since hearing that, I notice how often I do it. How often I deflect. How often I downplay. How often I just… don’t receive.

And I don't think that's the best response. I actually like doing things for people. I like showing up, helping out, giving something thoughtful, or just making someone’s day a little easier. There’s something really good about that feeling where you know you were able to do something kind for someone else... being a blessing to them. Allowing God to work through you.

So why would I take that away from someone else? If someone wants to do something for me out of genuine kindness, not obligation, why is my instinct to stop them? This is where it started to shift for me.

I believe that God's blessings often come through people. The people in our lives are a blessing. That part is easy to see and I don’t question it. But taking it a step further… what about allowing those same people to bless me in real, tangible ways? Allowing people to be a conduit for God's blessings coming my way?

That’s where I’ve realized I get a little uncomfortable. Because receiving requires a different kind of openness. It means letting your guard down just enough to accept something without trying to immediately return it, redirect it, or minimize it. 

The exchange isn’t just in kindly giving, but also in receiving well.

What if saying “thank you” and letting it land… is just as important as being the one who gives? And what if, in some small way, stepping back and allowing it actually honors where it’s coming from? Seems obvious, right? For whatever reason, something this obvious totally escaped me for a long time.

I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out now. I still catch myself wanting to say, “You don’t have to do that.” Sometimes I still do.

But I’m starting to pause a little more often. I’m starting to recognize when something is being offered from a good, honest place, and instead of blocking it, I’m trying to just let it come through. To say, “Thank you for doing something for me that you didn’t have to do,” and actually receive it.

Because if I believe that God works through people, then I don’t want to be so quick to turn that away. I don’t want to miss something He might be placing right in front of me… just because I’m more comfortable being the one who gives.

So I’m learning, slowly, to stay open.

To let it come through.

And to simply say, “Thank you.”