1 grateful person tag

On By nopassingfancyIn Life

I got tagged! 🙂 Thank you to herrychiccounsels for the honour 😉

I have to be entirely honest here – I am not one to post about religion or politics. These are very sensitive areas, and best not argued about on any social media platform or blog.

I have been criticised in the past for this, particularly when it comes to religion. I have been accused of being ashamed of what I believe, and that is very far from the truth.
But my own upbringing makes me a little wary of how and when I share my beliefs.

Probably one of the greatest things I have learnt in life (other than the time that I learnt that I will never be able to moonwalk like Michael Jackson 😛 ) is that we are all different and should respect each others differences and embrace them. Being critical and nasty and refusing to consider that others have different views to us doesn’t benefit anyone.

I had the Bible shoved down my throat growing up. It wasn’t about relationship, it was about religion. I promised myself that I would never do that to anyone.
The religion vs. relationship thing also taught me that people don’t care to hear the words if there are no actions to support what is being said.

AND THIS IS TRUE OF LIFE IN GENERAL. Don’t just say it, show me that you mean it.

So if you’re averse to Christianity, you can stop reading. I’m certainly not going to hold it against you. I’m thankful that you stopped by anyway 😉

On with the tag :

The 1 Grateful Person Tag is based on Luke 19 and the account of Jesus with the 1 out ten lepers he healed who came back to thank him. Let us aspire to be like the 1 who thanked Jesus and not the 9 who did not.

The ‘Rules’:
1- Share what you are grateful to Jesus for.
2-Share a passage from the bible about gratitude that means something to you.
3- Tag whoever you wish to.
4- Please share a link to my original post. 1 Grateful Person
5- Use any picture in your post that expresses gratitude
6. Share the intro

1 Do we have till the end of the next year? Could any person really read for that long? 😛
Yes, that is my way of listing that there is just so very much – simple things and complicated things. A myriad of things.
But I guess I’ll share this one : I am grateful for the difficult times. No, don’t scoff. I really am. When I look back at them 😉 When I have been in those dark and difficult places, I’ll admit that I didn’t like them, and I certainly wasn’t grateful for them. But when I look back and see how far I have come and learnt along the way that has made me a better person, I can’t help but be glad that I had them. I still experience difficult times, and I still don’t like them..even though I know that there’s going to be a rewarding change for getting through them. I don’t always tackle them gracefully, and I am definitely still inclined to complain in that dark place – even though I know the outcome will hold valuable lessons. But these days (after years of practice and tough times) I am more inclined to react with, “What am I supposed to be learning from this? I wish there was a better way of teaching me!”
Would you believe, it STILL sometimes takes me a ridiculous amount of time to learn the lesson!!! Sigh!

2             “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
                                                    Proverbs 17:22

Wait, what? It’s supposed to be a verse or passage about gratitude?!?!?! Well….to me, it is. I’ll make my explanation as brief as possible. If I can somehow manage to keep happiness in my heart despite my circumstances or the bad situations I encounter, I am more inclined to express gratitude. When I sit in the dark depths, my spirit very much does feel crushed and I am more inclined to lean towards feelings of bitterness and despair – and we all know that those don’t push us towards gratitude.
That doesn’t mean that when something devastating or bad happens that I don’t feel sad or angry, that I don’t hurt. A ‘happy heart’ is not immune to bad feelings. It just has a quiet type of joyful peace that manages to draw on gratitude despite it.
(Okay, so I am not very good at explaining it 😛 )

3 Hopefully there will no offense in this… I’m not tagging anyone. BUT..if you WANT to do it then you are definitely worthy of the grateful person tag. Please tag me if you do – I’d love to read your choices 🙂

4 Here’s the link to the lovely lady who nominated me 😉

5 The image I chose kind of goes with my chosen verse of scripture 😉

images
Photo Credit : soulutionary.com

And I’ve already completed task number 6 at the top of this post.

 

29 thoughts on “1 grateful person tag”

  2. I really love this post. And I most especially loved why you mentioned not shoving religion down people’s throats. That was my experience growing up as a PK as well. It was about religion and I have come to hate religion but LOVE relationship with Jesus Christ. His love and the Holy Spirit are the only way to see real change and real love in the actions of one’s life. Apart from HIM, we truly have nothing at all to offer. Just because a Scripture is quoted or the name of Jesus is used really has nothing at all to do with anything. That’s part of what has given Christianity a bad name. The Bible says we will know Christ followers by the fruit in their lives. If our fruit isn’t love for ALL people – what are we doing exactly?

    You & I are in agreement about the tough times in life. It is difficult to be grateful in the storm. We sure do grow in the hard times though, just as you’ve said.

    All my love to you and yours. I very much enjoy what you stand for and can relate. I pray you are well this day 💕

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    1. Hi Holly! Thanks so much for your comment. How refreshing to read that someone else has the same experiences as me with Christianity, and that you share the same views when it comes to the religious aspect. I usually take a lot more flack for having mine 😛 😉
      My dad was the only one who ‘let me find my own way’, and never forced anything on me. He is a gentle man and growing up he would tell me about the fruit in a non threatening way. He still takes the conversation that way when we discuss the Bible. Perhaps that’s also a part of why I have the view I do? 🙂

      Much love to you and yours too. Hope your day is super blessed! 🙂

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      1. Wow. I really love your story about your Dad. What a beautiful way to relate to other people – with gentleness and kindness. I sincerely believe that if we are to win souls for Christ, we must first love above all else. Spewing venom and being nothing except argumentative isn’t a very convincing way to be…wouldn’t you agree? 🙂 I know I don’t like being hollered at! It takes empathy to put yourself in someone else’s position to see what they might be seeing.

        It is indeed very refreshing to find someone who values kindness and compassion. Phew. We need more of that! Keep up the wonderful work you do here. Your heart is beautiful! ♥

        Liked by 3 people

      2. I think that there is a time and place for everything, and unfortunately a gentle and quiet approach is not always successful. But I do know that there is ALWAYS a time and place for kindness and empathy, and loving without passing judgment.

        A few months ago, as I was sitting and thinking back on my life, I suddenly had an epiphany of sorts. Every bad thing I have been through, every abusive situation, every difficult circumstance – they weren’t just there as teaching moments to help me grow (when I was willing to learn the lesson the pain the experience held), they were there to also develop the quality of empathy. It broadens my horizons when it comes to helping people too, because I can honestly feel with them. Makes me look like a bit of a ninny sometimes though when someone is crying telling me their story, and I start crying too, for them, because I know what they’re feeling. But I don’t mind being a ninny 😛

        Thank you for your lovely comment. You’re amazing and you matter! ❤

        Liked by 2 people

      3. AMEN! I love what you said: There is ALWAYS a place for kindness, empathy and loving without judgment. Yes and amen! There sure is. Those qualities alone can take a rebellious soul and win them for the good of Christ. Just knowing that someone in this world cares – and more importantly – that God is not mad at them but madly in love with them instead – wow, it changes lives!

        You are definitely not a ninny. Like you said, even if you were, who cares — I’d take an empathetic heart any day! I am so grateful for who you have become and for allowing the Lord to lead your heart through the pain into the victory. Empathy is not so common anymore and it’s a tragedy. Indeed, God will take every bit of your pain (and mine) and turn it around for the good of His glory – using our pain for a purpose if we let Him. He has done that with you and you are making a difference!

        I would say you’re amazing and your life, your story, your testimony, your heart – everything about you matters. Blessings to you & yours! ❤

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      4. It’s been a VERY long journey, filled with emotional rebelliousness. Being hurt my whole life by people in the church made me second guess anyone who said they went to church. Emotionally, I withdrew from anything to do with God and the Bible for a very long time. Thing is….He didn’t let me go. I remember a story from a couple of years ago which I sort of added to in my own mind when I sat thinking about it (around the time of my turning point) about how God stands next to us and holds the umbrella. It’s raining. And sometimes we step away, out from under that umbrella. And initially it feels great, but then it changes and we become soaked through, cold and miserable. Sometimes we stay in that place for so many years – but eventually we cry out and want shelter and ask Him why He has deserted us/left us. But the thing is, WE’RE the ones who stepped away. He is still where He was, holding that umbrella. We just need to move ourselves back under it!
        Admitting this, and the many areas of my life that had been messed up because of ME, was tough. It’s not nice at all to acknowledge our faults. But owning them made it a little easier for me to be more pliable, and was actually what brought on the healing process. There are still areas I struggle with – but that’s not because of being stubborn and rebellious. The devil likes to remind me of my past, and sometimes I still fall for it. It may take a little time, and work and pain, but when I manage to get over those stumbling blocks, I am able to remind that devil of his future! 😉

        Liked by 2 people

  3. I prefer not to follow ‘tags’ or accept ‘awards’ on my blog – i feel they somehow impose an obligation or expectation on me and then onto those i may nominate. Of course people are always free to make their own choices. This is mine. 😉

    I am however happy to share what my answers would have been had you nominated me! 🙂

    1. While i am grateful for many things in this world and in my life – i have been blessed in many ways at many times – i consider myself most grateful to Jesus the man, not the resurrected Son of God, for providing the template (human model to adopt and follow) and instruction of how we are to live a life that leads to our salvation and to living Eternal Life in the hereafter. How we can best Love and Honour The Father that we might in all things follow His Will.

    Having said that i have yet to come anywhere near close to following His example. I have yet to ‘commit’ to Christianity, although i was baptised as a child. I believe that once you accept Christ as Saviour if you ‘slide’ and do not honour, in full, your decision and commit a sin against the Spirit, as opposed to the sins we commit while still ‘in flesh’, you don’t get a ‘second’ second chance.

    2. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

    ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

    This verse reminds me that we are to be thankful always, not just when something good befalls us, but also when something we feel is ‘bad’ happens, or, for that matter, whatever happens in this life. We have been given a gift – for our long term benefit and learning our true purpose in the life to come.

    A practice you seem to follow as per your first response. 🙂

    5. https://lovewillbringustogether.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/gratitude.png
    “Gratitude is when Memory is stored in the Heart, not in the Mind.”

    Thanks for the non-tag!! (It’s helped!) 🙂

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  4. paulguisbournehiltonalifeworthgiving

    I remember visiting church with my Grandmother in the early 1970’s and I didn’t even get to do Sunday school but the vicar that we had was a real old school preacher, standing atop the pulpit, waving his arms in the air and generally shouting his sermons at whoever would stay and listen, how daunting as a 5-6 years old boy, who used to kneel at the end of the bed and recite the Lord’s Prayer before the start and end of the day with my Grandfather in his campaign bed downstairs.
    Anyway getting back to the vicar, I used to grab my Gran’s skirt has we went out the door convinced that if I shook his hand he would see right through me.
    The presents at Christmas were very predictable and you could guarantee that I would get a copy of the children’s illustrated bible each year.

    I have to say Meg that I agree with you totally I too am grateful for the trials and tribulations that I went through in my life and for the blessings that I received at this time. I think that you learn more about God and his love for you as you go through challenges, you also learn that he is able to provide you with all that you need during those really difficult times.
    You also learn more about your character and the qualities that you have been blessed with by God through his son Jesus Christ.
    It is very easy to be appreciative when you have a great deal, then again a lot of people that I have met even in the various churches that I have attended throughout my life, have the belief that they can do it and have done it all on their own.

    In terms of favourite scriptures I have far too many but I have my absolute verse tattooed on my arm, it is from Psalms 94V18. it reads as the full verse, When I said, “My foot slippeth, thy mercy, O Lord, held me up” from the King James version, this scripture to me says it all and has been such a blessing in my life.
    Isaiah 49 v 16 is another of my scriptures Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me.

    I agree very much that Religion especially organised religion does not necessarily make you a spiritual person, I personally believe that this is gained by your relationship with God, your feelings and testimony as well as your feelings about others.
    Actions as they say speak louder than words and has Jesus Christ himself said ” If thou lovest me, keep my commandments.”

    In terms of gratitude I am grateful for the relationship that I have with God which I have had for many years but that at times I have walked away from, not that it has absolved me of any responsibility through life, however I must admit that he has a way of pulling me back.
    I am grateful that he saw me when I was at my worst through alcohol and failed relationships and yet he not only reached out for me but swept me in his arms and carried me to safety.
    I am grateful for those people who have come into and left my life and for the imprints that they have left on my life.
    I am grateful to you for the support and encouragement that you have given me and the hand of friendship that you have extended to me.
    I am grateful for my life as it is but accept anything that happens in my life as being the opportunity to learn and grow.

    I hope that you enjoy the rest of your day and the weekend with your family and I hope that you are able to send some warmth to Wales because the temperature is dropping even as we speak.

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      1. paulguisbournehiltonalifeworthgiving

        I would gratefully accept it because it is getting pretty cold here.
        If I have already replied then I apologise only for some reason I am having problems with WordPress today, I did a post this morning following on from the theme of yesterday and I called it The Emotional Bank Account but I actually can’t tell whether it has been published or not.
        What would you say is the difference between the paid site and the free one in terms of publishing content.??

        Liked by 2 people

  5. You did such a fantastic job with the tasks, for one. You have a lot of patience! I definitely want to do it when I have more time, but I really wanted to leave you a comment first, about how I really loved this post. I left the church for a while because of the lack of love that I kept experiencing. I saw a lot of people show up, dress the part, act the part when they needed to, but often times acted like enemies. I stopped feeling safe, spiritually and mentally. To know the character of Christ today, and how He never forces Himself into our lives, but opens His arms to welcome us, if we choose Him….that drew me closer to Him. To know that, even in my mistakes and errors, he *still loved me and never left me. Even when some of those that called themselves Christians, did not bother coming around. He is patient, slow to anger, and will be with us at our lowest…..and still see the greatness in us. And that has nothing to do with religion, but that relationship that you spoke of. I’m so glad you spoke about that, and respecting the religious beliefs of others. There is no reason to break someone down because they believe differently….and that would not even be showing the love of Jesus.
    I appreciate where you said you do not always handle difficulties with grace. I loved that honesty. I identify with that, wholeheartedly. And you explained perfectly, what I have been thinking and choosing to live life like, about joy even in the midst of trouble. You have a beautiful soul.🤗🌼🤗

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    1. Awwww 💜💜💜💜
      Thank you so much for this kind and genuinely loving comment. What a privilege it is to be able to get to know you despite us being so many miles apart. 😊😊
      I also left the church for the same reason as you, and a few others. It was so difficult because it was all I had known for so long. And there was so much hurt in me. I think we tend to forget though that Christians are still human and not all of ‘their flesh has been crucified’ as such. Our expectations of those who say they love God is always a little greater. With devastating consequences for the most part.
      In life, if everything was as it should be, there wouldn’t be pain or crime or hatred… I’ve sort of adopted that attitude to Christianity too. Sometimes, the erring of fleshy beings mean that it’s not always as it should be. But hey.. if it wasn’t for mistakes and trials we’d have nothing to help us along our growth paths towards the perfection He has begun in us 😉

      It’s always difficult admitting that I’m not always graceful. I cringe when I have to do it. But I know I’m not alone in it…and it’s important for others to know that they’re not either 😉 💜

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      1. Oh, yes! And thank you so much! It has been such a blessing and honor to know you as well…..no matter the distance.💜💜💜
        I love your comment because you are completely right. Christians are still human living in this imperfect flesh. If we never fell short, we’d never need Jesus. If anything, we are faced daily with the test of forgiveness. I agree with there being devastating consequences for our high expectations for those whom say they love God, because often times we get hurt the most by them, because it’s like, well wait….. don’t you know Jesus! 😫 But we do need the mistakes, and the hurts sometimes….even though the hurts REALLY hurt. It keeps us in the knowledge and path of God’s Grace.

        Oh no, you are never alone! I lack grace more often than I’d like to ever admit. I’m a continual work in progress.💜😁💜

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Wow. First of all, I am really glad I tagged you. Your post nailed it.

    Being grateful for God is key. And reading through your views and other comments I liked just nailed it. The odds and the hurts etc, all make us better people. We can better help out or lend a helping hand. Not being judgemental but with open arms go through it with them. Just as Jesus does for us!.

    We share similar experiences on our empathy being built through odd times.

    And really glad you found Christ or let me say He found you. And you know He is who He is and loving all the way. So we can be that version of Him to others.

    Hugs. You are a light!💗

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