Grumble, grumble.

Monday November 5, 2012

How often do you grumble?

I am so guilty.

And I’ve noticed I grumble most in the middle of other grumblers. It’s like it’s contagious or something.

What’s the problem with grumbling?

When you look up the word in a concordance, you see pretty quickly it was the Number One sin of the Israelites after they left Egypt. They witnessed the power of God firsthand as all those plagues were visited on Egypt, and their departure (laden with jewels) was nothing short of miraculous. But in the desert, they grumbled. Big time.

And that didn’t work out so well for them. They wandered longer and those who left Egypt didn’t survive to see the land of promise.

The more I think about grumbling, the less attractive it appears.

It models Satan, the patron saint of discontent. Not who I want to be likened to.

It contradicts my faith. When I’m grumbling, I’m expressing a lack of faith.

It’s not really who I am. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (I Peter 9).

It accomplishes nothing. Grumbling is a step backwards. It doesn’t help me or those around me. In fact…

It drags me—and those around me—down. Scripture tells us to speak “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph. 4:29). My grumbling doesn’t help others; it hurts them.

It’s caught up in circumstances…so when I grumble, I am, too. But we’re called to rejoice not in circumstances, but in God, who IS good.

He works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

So, grumbling—begone!



I'm linking up with Laura, Jen, and Michelle today.
Photo credit 

A Perfect World?

Monday August 1, 2011

“Heaven is not here, it’s There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for.” (Elisabeth Elliot)

When I’m discontent, when I long for more, help me remember that it’s simply part of the wooing.

May I not long for the things of this world and settle for its pleasures.

Lure me, call me, Father, to You and Your invisible Kingdom.

May I find what I so keenly long for only in You.

Linking up today with Michelle at Graceful for Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday.

The Ebb and Flow of Life

Tuesday November 30, 2010


It’s quiet, and I’m quietly surprised.

Sure, I miss them. My heart twisted in my throat as I watched them wheel their suitcases to the car early this morning.

And it’s so quiet here this evening. My husband is working tonight, so it’s just me and my sweet old dog.

I’m quietly surprised because I’m okay. Yes, I have plenty to do, but even with tasks, the silence can be uncomfortable.

But it’s not.

In the past week I’ve gotten more than I anticipated in some ways and less in others. But contentment is cutting through the ebb and flow of life. I’m at ease with the flow that carries me away sometimes but I still enjoy the resting, coasting in the ebb, drifting along, taking in so much about life.

And I do know why. It’s because of my anchor. The One who will not let me go, regardless of the ebb and flow.

I feel the tug and look to His heart and I can just ease right in, whether the water is swirling or meandering.

At least today I can. There are those days when the world swirls furiously around me and I lose that sense of peace. But all I have to do is let the anchor tug on my heart and draw near.

Are you experiencing the ebb and flow, too? Are you at ease with it? What helps you get there?