The other day I decided to take the kids to the splash park in our neighborhood for some fun. I had a ton of things to do that day, but I also want my kids to enjoy their summer. So I put off what I needed to do, packed a picnic lunch, grabbed a few bucks for a frosty on the way back home, and headed out to the splash park. Looking at the clock, I figured we would have about three hours of water and fun.We get there and start out by applying thick layers of sunscreen then eat our lunch. After cleaning up our mess, I sat back in my chair with a book and hopes of a tan and the kids headed off to the fountains.
It only took ten minutes. That's it! Ten minutes until the complaining began.
The water is too cold!
I want to do something else!
The bugs are bothering me!
The sun is too bright!
The sunscreen got in my eyes!
I kept giving the mommy answer. It's okay, just go have some fun. After about thirty minutes of non-stop complaining, I was so done! In a huff I packed up my stuff and said "let's go now!" And wouldn't you know it, through all of the complaining, they didn't want to leave. Well, we left anyway. Drove the short distance home and sent everyone to their rooms while I went back to my laundry mountain.
As I stomped and huffed around my house complaining about my ungrateful kids, God spoke to me. How many times has He blessed me with something and I complained. It isn't good enough. But I want that talent. But we need more money. Complain, complain, complain!
I put everything aside for my kids to have fun and all they did was complain that it wasn't good enough. God blesses us with what He wants us to have, and we complain that it is not good enough. I can just imagine God stomping around and grumbling about ungrateful Jenifer.
I want to learn to be grateful to God for everything. He knows my needs and my desires and He gives to me as He sees fit. He knows what is best for me far better than I ever will. I may think I need a hundred dollars but He if gives me ten, I should praise Him for it, not grumble that it just isn't enough. Will you have a heart that grumbles or is thankful?
Sweet Blessings~
P.S. Once God calmed me down, this was a great teaching opportunity for my kids! (smiles)
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Sounds like you wandered in the desert for a bit that afternoon. (*smiles*)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lesson, for you and for the kids. Thank you for sharing. I think we all complain like the Israelites. God always blessed them and they would find some thing to complain about. I pray that I can learn to 'just be content' with what I have and that God will bless me out of my contentment.
Hi Jenifer. I reckon God can teach us much through our children about our relationship with Him. Great post.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
That is so good, Jenifer. I was talking to God about our finances, or lack thereof, just this morning. I think I will change my attitude and just be thankful for the "ten".
ReplyDeleteI want to be humbly grateful, not grumbly hateful!
Hugs, Cindy
I totally relate. How crazy that ungratefulness breeds ungratefulness. Thanks for linking up with Brag on God Friday. Hope to see you again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. I did have to a lot of smiling as I read it but I do know where you are coming from. I want to be greatful always and not grumble so much. You have taught me a lesson even at my age. (Smiles) Thanks and blessings to you. See you in a bit and love you.
ReplyDeleteOh man. I can totally relate. I have 3 little girls and sometimes I put things aside so we can do "fun" stuff or I will spend an hour in the kitchen cooking for 'them' and either they start complaining... or don't like what I've cooked. Then I think about how much 'I' do for them... when if I really think about it, *I* am doing it for *ME* to make *MYSELF* feel like a good mother. Wonderful post, btw. I can totally relate and have often thought, "This must be what God feels like."
ReplyDeleteSo this one kind of hurt me this morning, I have done that myself, stomped my feet in protest when God tried to give me something, and like a two year old having a meltdown my ungrateful heart protested, I didn't want that one, I wanted the other one! Today I am going to intentionally be grateful for what He has given me, not for what He hasn't given me that I wanted.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
Thanks for sharing this truth, Jenifer. I think we all find ourselves complaining at some point or another when God blesses us. I know I have, Lord forgive me. Isn't it funny how we're all just a bunch of kids no matter how old we get.
ReplyDeleteI guess that makes sense when we compare our short lives to the eternal Father though. I've been thinking abou that for a while and your post reminded me of it again. I wrote it about in an article called: Like Children
Again thanks for posting and God Bless!
I always loved it when my kids taught me lessons instead of the other way around. I sure could grumble less and offer thanks more.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pamela
Ouch! What a transparent, and convicting moment Jenifer... One I think all of us can relate to. I've caught myself having exactly the same reactions, and it was a humbling experience. Thankfully, we have a VERY patient and forgiving Heavenly Father, and can use his example as a learning experience on how to relate to our children as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day!
Jenifer -
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reminder. I know there are countless times when I am frustrated with my kids that I feel God telling me - "You do the same thing to me" and I get a big smack in the face. Those are some of the best teachable moments for me with my kids!
We should always thank God for everything... instead of griping and always complaining.. ehhehe God can teach us through events and even through little children... He can use you.. or me... You are blessed!
ReplyDeleteThis week I too shared how thankful I am that God uses life lessons I've learned as teachable moments with my daughter.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s precious is that we recognize it!
OH girl! I have so been there with listening to my children complain and being baffled as I look at how blessed their life is - and you are right - sadly I do it too!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and thanks for joining me for the media Mondays!
Courtney
Oh boy, ouch is right! I wrote recently that so often I treat my kids as "little adults" expecting them to act as an adult should. And when they make a mistake I pounce- I pounce on them for their bad attitudes, for their misbehavior, for their ungratefulness. But like you said, how often do I exhibit those same bad attitudes? Pretty often, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteYour post was wonderfully written, thanks for the reminder!