Can't Complain

Now that we are in the thankful spirit, let's remember that complaining is a sort of reverse thankful spirit. Complaining only serves to remind of us of how bad we think we have it. But we must remember the others of the world. The world is not just made of us and the people we interact with.

I came upon this letter that serves as a wonderful reminder of just how good we really have it. Read it and see if you don't feel like the luckiest person alive.

Dear Sisters,

“Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Philippians 2:14

How I hear these Words in my mind over and over, especially when I want to do one or the other. Mostly the complaining part. So within the last year I have had this imaginary conversation with a woman from the mid 1800’s; and when I am tempted to complain, rather than to thank God for His many goodnesses, I say this silently to her in her era:

How can I complain when I can hold the whole counsel of God in my hands and read it any time I want?

How can I complain when I can go to the sink and hot and cold water pours out for me at the flick of my wrist?

How can I complain when at the push of a button I can have instant heat on my stove?

How can I complain when it takes me minutes to load my washer and at the push of a button all the work is done for me?

How can I complain when I can get into my car and be at a market within 15 minutes?

How can I complain when I can have hot or cold air piped into my car while driving?

How can I complain when I can listen to the most beautiful music while driving?

How can I complain when I can see the doctor or the dentist on the same day I am suffering?

How can I complain when I can write a letter and send it to be received on the same day I sent it?

How can I complain when the shelves are so full of good things at my supermarket?

How can I complain when I can buy clothes cheaper than the cost of just the thread at garage sales and thrift shops?

How can I complain when I can turn on this machine called a vacuum and it sucks up all the dirt for me in my house?

How can I complain when I can sleep in front of a fan in the hottest time of summer?

How can I complain when I can go to the air conditioned library in the summer and use their computers for free?

How can I complain when I can talk to my mother in another state on a moment’s notice over a hands free phone?

How can I complain when I can soak away my aches and pains in hot water piped right into my tub?

How can I complain when I don’t have to use an outhouse, rather a lovely bathroom right inside my home?

How can I complain when I have this big above ground pool right in my backyard to jump into when it is so hot?

How can I complain when I have a closet full of clothes for my whole family?

How can I complain when I can turn on my t.v. and learn a whole new recipe from a celebrated chef for free?

How can I complain when I can buy canned food for my winter pantry already canned for me?

How can I complain when I can lay fully back in my chaise lounge chair on a heating pad when I am ill?

How can I complain when I want to go to a concert that I can listen to it right in my kitchen on a CD?

How can I complain when at the flick of a switch I can light up a whole room?

How can I complain?

How can I possibly complain?

“For if a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness…I say that a stillborn child is better than he…though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, even if he lives a thousand years twice – but has not seen goodness.” Eccl. 6:3-6

How can I complain when every day is such Sweet Sabbath Rest with Him?

Love,
Laine

Let's be thankful for all the little things we take for granted that are huge things to other people. I hope y'all had an amazing and special Thanksgiving!

xoxo