I will. Well...I'll try.

"Do all things without complaining." Philippians 2:14a, NKJV

"Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused." Numbers 11:1a, NKJV

I'll admit it. I complain too much.

The story of the Israelites always convicts me. I've heard preachers speak quite harshly about them; but really, I think we all would have a hard time NOT complaining if we were in their shoes.They had it pretty rough when you think about it. Still, they were punished for their murmuring. That's a little hard to understand until you really consider it. No matter how difficult the circumstances may be, bellyaching doesn't help anything. It bogs down the complainer and everyone in contact with them. It only makes an unpleasant situation worse and, in some cases, can cause serious trouble.

Complaining can wreak havoc in our homes. Whining, griping, and grumbling, etc. sours the whole atmosphere. Think about it. All it takes is for one child to start whiiiiining and things get real ugly real fast.  Everybody hates whining!

But I seem to forget about that when something doesn't go MY way. I can be just as guilty of whining as my children.

So. Having been convicted of this, I make the following resolve. Um...okay, I won't exactly make a resolve. I'm still quite human. So I will try, with God's help:

When the sink (and countertop) is full of dirty dishes, I will be thankful that we have food to eat and dishes to wash.
When I'm having a bad hair day, I will be thankful that I have hair.
When my kids are driving me nuts, I will be thankful that they are healthy enough to do so.
When I'm exhausted and don't feel like getting out of bed, I will be thankful that I'm still able to get out of bed.
When I want to complain because I can't get a "moment's peace", I will be thankful that I'm not all alone with no one to talk to.
When it looks like my home has been vandalized by a band of four wild things, otherwise known as my beloved children, I will be thankful that I have been blessed with children.
When the dirty laundry seems to be multiplying at the speed of light, I will be thankful that we have plenty of clothes to wear.
When it's hot and humid, I will be thankful that I do not live in Siberia.
When I stub my toe, I will be thankful that I have a toe to stub.
When I dread cleaning the bathroom, I will be thankful that we don't have to use an outhouse.
And so on and so forth.

There. I have reprimanded myself, and I will try to be cheerful and un-complaining.

Oh, great. I forgot the nasty crock pot when I did the dishes, the kids keep tracking dry grass all over the floor, my bed isn't made yet, and I am so SICK and TIRED of the toys EVERYWHERE....  (Sheepish grin...)