Who Are You Thankful To?

~~ Romans1:21 (NIV) ~~  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.


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In my small group we’re currently doing a study about being “fishers of men.”  One of our homework assignments was to write a thank you letter to the person we feel is responsible for leading us to Jesus.  Have you ever thought about it before, who you would write such a letter to, and what you would say?  It really made me stop think.  I mean, I grew up believing in Jesus.  I don’t know a life without that belief.  Yet at the same time, I didn’t know that there was such a thing as having a relationship with Him.  I was lead to the truth about God and Jesus during a series of counseling sessions with one of my pastors.  I had several big “light bulb” moments during this time.  The end result was I began a relationship with God, I forgave those in my past that needed forgiving, I repented, and I was put in a position to move ahead toward a path leading to God.  Here’s the letter that I wrote to Pastor:

Dear Pastor:

How do I begin to say thank you to the person who led me out of the darkness and into a world filled with light?  Don’t get me wrong... I don’t want to ignore the people who came before you; my parents, grandparents who taught me that there was a man named Jesus who died on a cross for me.  But that’s where it ended.  It was a wonderful story from a book.  I didn’t feel any more connected to God or Jesus then I did with any other historical character.  I didn’t know I could be.  It’s amazing how people live in the darkness their whole lives and don’t even know it.  Stepping out of that darkness to see the Truth in Jesus makes the whole world different.  It made me different.  When I was in a position to see finally myself, I couldn’t help but want to change.  I didn’t like what I saw. 

You taught me about church family, how to get closer to God and grow a relationship, and how to step out of my comfort zone.  You led me through abuse, forgiveness, and emotional breakdowns.  You taught me that I am indeed loved and lovable.  You even helped me learn to develop friendships with other women.  Most of all you showed me Jesus when you acted like Him in the face of my sins.

Though it seems so very insufficient, I just want to say “Thank you” for allowing God to use you to change me and my dark world.

Carley
I challenge you to write a letter to the person who led you to Christ.  You don’t necessarily have to mail it.  However, writing it would be a great exercise.

Let’s Pray
 ~~ Dear God ~~  All-knowing and loving Father, way to often I am living in the darkness and don't even try to get out.  Thank You for loving me no matter what.  Help me to know You better with each passing day, and to glorify You with everything that I do.  I want to thank You for everything You give me and do for me, but I especially want to thank You for never giving up on me. Help my heart and mind to never be foolish so that I don't ever have to go back to the darkened world.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Now It’s Your Turn 
Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer?  Please consider sharing in the comments section; even if the link you clicked to get here was on another site(If you’re on the homepage, click on the post headline, and scroll down to find the comments section.)


14 comments :

  1. HANNAHSGRAMMIENovember 15, 2013

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You are welcome. I hope you were blessed by it. HUGS

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  2. Thank YOU. This is a wonderful blog. I will be going there again. Have a blessed night Carley. Judi Hugs

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    1. I am so glad you liked it!! Thank you for telling me. It helps keep me motivated to keep writing. Many blessings to you. HUGS

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    2. Oh wow what an awesome post ( and idea). Who would I write??? A girlfriend in third grade who invited me to church one weekend I think would be the recipient . But does it just have to be one?? Because I believe my grandma was the first one who introduced me to Jesus and I didn't even know it. when I was a year and a half as she prayed over my hospital bed.

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    3. Dear Connecting... it doesn't have to be just one. You could write as many as you need to if they were involved in your path toward Christ. I'm glad you liked my post. Hope you're keeping well these days. Hug.

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  3. thank you!

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    1. You are so welcome. I hope you were blessed. HUGS

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  4. I would not even know where to begin. So many people brought me one step closer. I grew up going to church, but it was inconsistent, and we didn't pray as a family. We moved when I was in high school and then I started to become active in our local church. I sang in the choir, and played in the handbell choir, taught Sunday School to the K-1 age group, and attended the youth rallies. At the same time I quizzed our pastor on the accuracy of God's Word.

    I was searching and a lot of people tried to share their religions and beliefs with me and I took a little bit from each. Though I have many to thank I think perhaps I would have to thank the missionaries who truly taught me about living the Gospel.

    It is true that we can have a fabulous and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father and with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love all of the moments. I love that I can laugh and cry and be angry and be joyous. That I can share my deepest fears and my most personal desires. That I can share everything.

    I am thankful to all of the people who led me to the moment that I had my AHA! lightbulb moment. I still have lots of AHA! moments and I enjoy them. One of the most recent big ones came when I was studying the Psalms in a Bible study and I connected all the dots about David. He did terrible things, but yet he was intimate with God, and he was forgiven. Now I am doing a study just on David because I wanted to really learn more about him. I am doing it alone from the book David, 90 Days With A Heart Like His by Beth Moore.

    I am glad that you were a featured motivator or I might have missed this blog. I hope to read more of your blogs when I have a little more time.

    Peace and Blessings!
    Jen

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    1. Thank you so very much for sharing. I really enjoyed reading your story. I also love Beth Moore. I did a study once by her called "David: Seeking a Heart Like His". It was literally life changing for me. You should check it out while you're studying David. Many blessings to you. HUGS

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  5. Hello Carley, I have spent all afternoon reading your blogs on the site you posted. I am so happy I found you. So much is going on in my life,, that I try to fix things myself & with issues I do not honestly take them to the Lord all the time.My brother has cancer and I worry so much it is stage four, he is such a faithful person he tells me I must have faith.
    When I was in grade school I went to an old fashion revival, I wish they had them again.I held my hand up for salvation,later on in life I truly accepted the Lord as my Savior.You are truly going to be a blessing in my life,I needed to find someone like you. Thank you for all your blogs, I have so much catching up to do, and Bible verses to look up. have a happy and blessed week
    Judy

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    1. Oh Judy! Thank you so much for your feedback and wonderful support. Sometimes I start to doubt myself, and it's people like you with your great comments and support that keep me going. Many blessings to you. HUGS

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  6. What a nice gesture! Hugs

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    1. Thank you so much. I hope you were blessed by it. Have a wonderful Christmas this year. HUGS

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