Meet Grace

I am the first to admit that I have received a great deal of grace in my life. Grace and forgiveness.

So it is possibly the extent of my hypocricy and humanity exposed when I share the problem I am having with a person. Who treads on toes and has never apologised for the damage they cause. Who, when forgiven and given a second chance, doesn't say thank you but accepts the gift as it is their due.

All this processing is good for me. That's the issue - there is no gratitude for the gift.

(not that this is about my forgiveness, its more others who have forgiven this person, or groups of people who have. despite being repeatedly let down).

When we extend a gift, any gift, whether it is flowers or forgiveness - does it matter the spirit in which our gift is received? Should that stop us from extending those same gifts again and again?

Im not trying to make parallels with God here...but it is sort of inevitable.

I have been given so much grace in my life - by God and others, why does this person's attitude rankle me so much? We are in the season of giving and I really want to give wholeheartedly, but this person does not make it easy.

Is there a certain trait in others that upsets you more than it should??

Comments

[Charles in HK]

I apologise for any damage I cause and will try to stop stepping on toes!

[Tertia]

Laughing at Charles :)

I hate people who are mean spirited or begrudge other people's happiness. It's a trait I find hard to ignore. That us my 'thing' that upsets me.

But yes, to answer your question - it shouldn't matter how our gift us received. We should give regardless. Having said that, it is annoying when someone seems at best oblivious, at worst ungrateful.

Xxxx

[Maureen Lyons]

Good question, Tess. Finding the balance between grace and not being a doormat which keeps getting tromped on .... and does the latter matter in the great scheme of things? Again, good question, Tess.

M xox

[Boulder]

I give without expectation of a specific reaction most of the time. I am human, however, and there are times when it feels overwhelming to have the gift of time, love, Grace, and even material items dismissed. I believe it hurts me because I tend to see the moments of grace and forgiveness with great appreciation, and I have a hard time remembering that not everyone is the same. Some truly do expect the world to stop for them. I also think, for me, that it is about my "voice" being accurately heard. When one is dismissive, it is easy for me to jump to feeling misinterpreted. Which is far more about me than it is about them. I try to remember that, and the fact that I don't have to stay to the end with people I find oblivious or entitled. Life is short.