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"And do not grumble, as some of them did---and were killed by the destroying angel" (1 Corinthians 10:10).
"And do not grumble, as some of them did---and were killed by the destroying angel" (1 Corinthians 10:10).
Complaints are a
canker to the bones.
I
complain too much. I complain about what I don’t have, and about what I want; I
complain about what someone else has, and how it would be better if I had it. I
complain about how if it were me instead of them I’d handle it much
better. My words are a never-ending
train of dissatisfaction and complaints.
This
child complains the same. He has his own, but looks at what his siblings have.
He throws a tantrum rather than ask that for what he needs. “Use your words to express
your needs, don’t start crying and throwing things!” I urge him, shocked at his
behaviour. My words seem to
fall on deaf ears. He has his own plate with the food that he asked for, and instead of eating he’s busy
watching others consume their portion, jealous about how much they have, how
much they are consuming, and they will finish before he even gets a second
plate. Yet his first plate is full. Eating becomes a game of screams and
reassurances; it’s exhausting.
My frustration
doesn’t linger because I get a glimpse of the patience of God with me. He doles
out reassurance to me, urging me to focus on Him. How many times have I received reassurance
and gone back to complaining and murmuring wicked things?
This week, a
child has taught me to be grounded in the moment, and appreciate the things
before me. He reminded me to focus on
what I have, and fix my mouth to speak with gratitude. Hearing him complain
gave me a window into how I sound when I complain to God, and I didn’t like it.
It made me cringe.
God has yet to
let me down. For what He gives and withholds, I ought to be grateful.
“Don’t concern
yourself with what is in your brother and sister’s plate, and focus on your own
plate.”
