Quit Complaining!

There is an awesome Max Lucado story in his book It's Not About Me. He talks about having issues with parents or in-laws, his wife, a camera, and his car. I don't remember it exactly except at the end of the story, he meets a happy boy who has nothing. The point of the story (as I remember it) is that if he didn't have all those blessings he wouldn't have been complaining. How often do I complain about my blessings?

This year I've gotten a new perspective on complaints. Reading Facebook posts has been difficult and downright maddening at times. I've read posts from women complaining about their husband's business trips (which last anywhere from 4 days to 3 weeks) and their children. I often feel like commenting, "I'll trade ya." Give me short business trips and children! Please!

I stop myself because I realize someday I probably will complain or seem to be complaining about my husband or my children. However, I know right in this moment how wonderful a blessing they are. (As for the business trips, I really don't think I'll ever complain about them, but I don't know what it is like with small children.)

The cure is to be constantly thankful. Instead of thinking about how awful it is to have my husband away, I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband. Instead of thinking about how awful it is to wait to have children, I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to teach. Instead of thinking of the challenges I faced this year on my own (like mowing the lawn), I am thankful for the growth of my character.

Please don't complain or even semi-complain! Please, when your children frustrate you, sit back and be thankful for them before you put anything on Facebook. Please, when your husband goes away, be thankful he has a job.

It will help me not to think about punching you :)

Jordon