The Art of Complaining

I think I have made complaining a new form of art.  It is quite a thing to behold.  I think I could replace the commercial that says "There's an app for that" to "There's a complaint for that".  If the dishes don't magically clean themselves, if my well and able-bodied children don't jump at the opportunity to do their own laundry, if my incredibly witty plans don't match up with the hubby's ideas, and on and on and on goes my list.  I could probably list over a hundred things right now that just don't suit me at the moment and feel pretty justified in doing so.

Most of these things I would never voice out loud, because guess what?  Did I mention that I can't stand people who complain all the time????  I know, right?  Aren't they just the most obnoxious people that you can't wait to get away from???  People that just can't be happy no matter what drive me nuts, but somehow my own complaints which only myself and God can hear are o.k.  with me.  Probably not to God, but sometimes I actually enjoy a good complaining fest.

Every now and then, God puts a stop to my beautiful collage of complaints and he did that for me today.  I woke up with the sore throat and cough that all my other family members have been suffering through for the past month.  I woke up to dishes that didn't magically do themselves over night.  I loaded the dishwasher without a complaint (out loud that is) and went to close the door and the latch wouldn't shut.  I tried again and it wouldn't shut.  This meant that my dishwasher wasn't going to run and my dishes were definitely not going to be magically cleaned!  I put my head against the counter and was ready to have a good old fashioned pity fest.  Then I felt God remind me of the news that I first woke up to.

Every morning my hubby turns on the morning news around 6 am.  The gentle noise gradually brings me out of my sleep.  This morning it was all about the deep freeze that has over taken our area and a good portion of the country. People are dying out in the cold.  I may have a cold and a dishwasher on the fritz, but for goodness sake I have a roof over my head, pipes that haven't burst and a heater that works.

Did you know that all through the book of Exodus and Numbers, God said that he could hear the Children of Israel grumble and complain?  Did you know that it was also pretty obvious that God didn't like it at all?  It goes without saying that God probably doesn't appreciate my complaining any better.  As a matter of fact I probably get on His nerves pretty badly sometimes, but unlike the rest of polite society, He isn't afraid to tell me my artwork stinks!  (Philippians 2:14 Do all things without complaining or disputing NKJV)

Confession Time

Alright.  I will just come out and say it.  I am about 80 pounds over weight.  I love food, I have had four children, and I am not good at exercising on a regular basis.  Last year I found out I have high cholesterol that is high enough to warrant medication.  Did I mention I'm not good at taking my medication?

Over the holidays I put back on the 12 pounds I had managed to lose last year.  My left knee has been killing me and my back went out for no reason.  That being said, it is time for a change.

I do not plan on making this blog about weight loss or health issues on any kind of regular basis, but I do feel that the people who I have seen have the greatest success with both of those things put themselves out there to be held accountable.

I am starting the "Shred" program.  At first glance, it looks to be well balanced with lots of healthy food, frequent meals and a structured plan.  It also includes exercise and focuses on lifestyle change.  Please feel free to ask me how I am doing on my life style change or if I have taken my medication ( yes I did take it right before I started typing).  I will post sometimes on my progress.  If I never mention shredding or weight loss again on this blog, you will know I've fallen off the wagon.



www.doctoriansmith.com/books/shred-the-revolutionary-diet/

Christmas All the Time

Every year at Christmas time, I have the blessing of being able to give away a lot of things that people need, a lot of food people need, and a lot of money that people need. I have the privilege of being the Pastor's wife of Pottstown Bible Church and during the Christmas season, people come out of the wood work wanting to help/donate to those that are less fortunate than themselves.  Pottstown Bible Church is home to many of Pottstown's more unfortunate people.

It is so much fun to see the surprised look on someone's face when you hand them a gift card out of the blue or to be able to put extra in someone's weekly bag of food because there is extra to give.  To be able to tell someone that we can help get their car repaired, or pay an electric bill.  To see children in need being blessed by toys, books, clothing and coats.  Even a child who lives half way across the state whose mother found us on the internet.  I wish it was Christmas all the time, because these people who get blessed at Christmas have needs all year long.  Poverty doesn't go away because someone has donated at Christmas time.  Poverty is always there.

I didn't always feel that way.  Even after becoming a Christian, I still lived my life in a way where I had no money, no time and no desire to help anyone but myself.  God changed my heart the day Pottstown Bible Church opened.  I am so thankful that God opened my eyes and that I am able to be in a role where I am surrounded by those who are needy.  It reminds me how fortunate I am.  It makes me think twice before I add to my own collection of "stuff" which has no heavenly value.  It helps me to keep my heart and my hands open. It reminds me to be generous all the time, not just at Christmas.