The doctrine is clear. We receive grace as we show grace.

As we reach down and hold up the hands that hang down, as we strengthen the feeble kneed, the Heavens are then enable to reach down and to lift us up and to heal our hearts.

The doctrine is also clear in that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.

To love others does not imply we love others from a distance. Rather, we need to be out there lifting and strengthening, even our enemies or those who are difficult to be around.

Yes, as we lift and serve others, the Heavens lift and bless us. As we show grace, we receive grace.

Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, we are prone to expect a bailout from the Heavens from time to time (if not continually) while simultaneously expecting to do nothing in turn.

Like a spoiled brat, we often expect the Heavens to reach down and to pour out countless blessings upon us, while we insolently refuse to lift even a finger to help and assist those around us in making their lives better.

We want and expect blessings, and we refuse to love and serve those around us.

We want grace from Heaven for doing nothing in return.

We want, but we refuse to give.

And hence at times we feel as if the Heavens are sealed and as brass. We plead, but we feel nobody is listening (as we will learn shortly, many words do not open the windows of Heaven as an act of grace that touches the heart and springs forth divine compassion that compels those in the Heavenly realm to action) … and we are left wondering what is to be done to precipitate a miracle.

It has often been said that when we are having a bad day or are most in need, that it is in these moments that we most need to serve someone else.

This might seem counterintuitive. We are the ones having a bad day. Shouldn’t someone else serve us and lift us up. And yet the Lord has strongly suggested it is I that needs to serve someone else. That kinda sounds a bit messed up.

But the doctrine is clear. We receive grace for grace. We do not receive grace for nothing.

When we are having a bad day and are most in need of grace, it is in that moment that we are counseled to serve another – or to show them grace – because it is this act of lifting and helping someone else out that enables us to become recipients of grace from up above.

Remember, we will always receive more than we give. Ten fold more. The exchange rate is out of this world. Literally.