Erin
What a wonderful post and yes the progression of grace definitely came from Our God! Oh, I needed to read this today as I prepare to gather with family members tomorrow. It so hit home about treating your Dad at least as well as you would a stranger.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Nov 25, 09 @ 06:38:05
Aurelia from SC
Excellent post Tara! I too wrestle with many of the same things you do. Much of my struggling comes from the fact that I think I deserve better. My heart is so filled with self-exalting pride. That pervasive attitude has a way of creeping in very silently at first and then progresses to where it is manifested in a very overt fashion. What has REALLY helped me is to realize that I don’t deserve anything but eternal damnation. Death!! To be able to look at my father and say, “You owe me nothing because everything I need I have in Christ!!” To be able to minister to him in his deficiency out of my sufficiency in Christ!! What gets me into trouble is my expectations. If I have no expectations then anything that I receive from someone else, situations, etc. is seen as a gift from the Lord, not something that I deserve or that is owed to me. Also looking to Christ’s humility has helped to change my thinking in this area. May the Lord continue to change our hearts and enable us to have the mind of Christ in this area. Blessings!!
Nov 25, 09 @ 08:07:42
Amy A
Again, your courageous honesty - and personal walk of faith- is touching MY heart and the many hearts of your readers. God bless you, sweet friend. Know that you are one that I (and many others) are very thankful for...
Nov 25, 09 @ 08:26:41
carolyn turbett
Tara, thank you so much for being transparent and articulate with your example to us. It is such a wonderful way for me to identify especially being brave in relating yourself to him. I have a huge family in a cult and have some of the same problems. please pray for me to be this way. love Carolyn
Nov 25, 09 @ 08:36:53
kristy
"...in this moment." Oh what a good reminder!! I put it on my blog! but I gave you credit, I promise! 
Thank you! And happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Blessings abundant!
Nov 25, 09 @ 14:26:12