Saturday, February 9, 2008

"Don't Complain." Just the other night, those words came to me as clear as anything I've ever audibly heard. "Don't Complain". They have stayed with me and I'm doing my best to heed them. I've also done some contemplating about what they mean. I do that when I really want my way in things: I'll contemplate, or, in other other words, try to find a way out of it.

Do they mean never, ever complain again?
Do they mean never complain about anything?


I sort of think they mean just what they say "Don't Complain". It's been interesting as I attempt to put that into practice. So for the past couple of days I haven't complained about: Weather, Housework, Hair, Aging, People, Husband, Children, Family members, Church, The price of gas, Who's running for president, Mayors, Taxes, Aging, Neighbors, The price of groceries, and on and on and on.

It seems such a waste of the breath God gives me to use it in complaining about something or someone. If I don't like what's going on, pray. Use this precious breath I've been given to pray, not complain.

It has taken many years to reach this place ... by the grace of God, may I stay here for whatever time I have left. And it will most likely be a challenge, because it's way easier to grouse and complain than it is to be quiet or pray. Why is that? Because we so easily give in to what the flesh wants rather than fight the good fight of faith and do things God's way. Maybe there's hope for me yet. Hey! I know there's hope for me! God promises to get me all the way Home and I want to get there without any more complaining!

2 comments:

  1. How true, it is easier to complain than just do it and go on. I think it becomes a habit after awhile!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think for me there are quite a few different reasons why I start complaining, but usually I feel like I can trace it back to a lack of thankfulness. If I truly "in all things give thanks," this is not so much of a problem.

    ReplyDelete