This morning I woke up to “day two” of a beautiful, relaxing, time with my family. This vacation has been planned for some time and with an opportunity to sit still for a change, I have been able to reflect more upon the wonderful ways I am blessed. Yesterday, I sat in a chaise lounge teaching my oldest how to play Sudoku. My younger two were in the pool most of the day, wearing themselves out. We played on the beach, spied dolphins, and watched pelicans dive for fish. Mark and I have been napping ALOT. We’ve watched the sun set. The stillness has brought spontaneous thanksgiving. It seems only natural.
As I prayed about this morning’s blog post, I recalled a challenge on Facebook I saw about a week ago. It said to spend 24 hours without complaining. I don’t really remember the details of the post but since we arrived I’ve been thinking about how often I am tempted to complain. Could I actually go 24 hours without a complaint? If I’m being honest, it’s easy for me to complain. I may pad it with humor or say it as if it’s just part of conversation but I thought about how freely I offer up complaints.
“I’m so tired!”
“Life is so busy.”
“Why must the person in front of me drive so slow?”
“You won’t believe what happened to me…”
“Why can’t my kids pick up after themselves?”
“I don’t even have time to get groceries.”
Parenting woes. Schedule woes. Project woes. Relationship woes. Financial woes.
It’s easy to roll a complaint into your everyday living and not even see it for what it is.
I’ve been convicted that I complain too much.
Slowing down, here on vacation, naturally develops in me a heart of gratitude – gratitude to The Lord for all He is and how He’s blessed – understanding everything I have comes from Him. I’ve whispered thanksgiving to The Lord in the many special moments of the day.
The blessings are always there, but when I’m home, I seem to stay too busy and frazzled to appreciate them.
Shame on me.
I’ve been convicted that when I’m complaining and busy, when I tend to overlook my blessings to see life’s challenges, I’m not simply reacting to life’s problems, I’m forgetting the goodness of God.
Paul’s familiar words in Philippians challenge me:
Phil 4:4-9
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Isn’t it cool that God is always speaking, always teaching – even on vacation? I’m especially thankful this morning that God has reminded me to take this thankful heart home when we leave and live with an attitude of gratitude wherever I lay my head.
So, I’m up for the challenge – 24 hours with no complaining. Let’s see how it goes. I desire to echo the words of Paul:
He said, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil 4:12-13
How’s your heart? Are you easily tempted to complain? Maybe you need to take the challenge too. It’s a good place to start.
