THE COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT

 

     Have you ever been around someone who complains constantly? After a while you get tired of hearing about how horrible their life is, how much pain they are in or how much they dislike their job and dislike people. From the minute the conversation starts until it ends its constant complaining. Then they wonder why they have no friends. This is an area in my life I have tried to work very hard on since I was a young man. Growing up I complained about how unfair teachers were to me, why I had to walk so far to get to a class, why I struggled to get a part time job during the school year and why I couldn't pass my road test on the first try. As an adult there are many things I could complain about, but I choose not to. Why? Good question! I have noticed one thing about complaining. All the focus is on self and not on being grateful for what you have! Also, what does complaining do for you? Zero! Nada! Nothing! 

     I confess I do complain. We all do! I could complain about my job situation, the fact my car is old and how much my back and shoulder hurts. I could complain about what I went through with my previous church 11 years ago or complain about what is going on in Israel, our government or illegals crossing into our borders but guess what...I choose not to. I do something about it! I don't want to put the focus on me, but on God. I want to have the attitude to always being grateful for what I have. I realize I will never make 6 figures, drive a Mercedes Benz or live in Locust Valley, NY. Honestly, I don't need any of those things. I am grateful that I have two jobs, I have a car that gets me around town, and I appreciate where I live more than you know. I have a family that loves me and a God who loves me unconditionally. The Bible even tells us in Psalm 142:2 to "Pour out our complaint before God." So, on this Memorial Day, let's avoid "The Complaint Department" with each other and let God know what our needs are. After all, he takes much better care of us that we take of ourselves!!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY FRIENDS! BE BLESSED THIS WEEK!

ATTITUDE CHECK!

 

     When I was 16 years old I, played for my church softball team, actually one of them. I always loved sports. Growing up I played Little League baseball and along with other neighborhood kids I was always seen with a hockey stick, a basketball and a football as well as a tennis racquet. So when I heard I could join our church softball team at 16, I was very happy. I was one of the youngest on the team and played either the outfield or second base. It was slow pitch softball. We had gold uniform tops with black and white trim. We looked like the Pittsburgh Pirates Our teams name was "The King's Kids." We weren't very good, but we had fun. I always felt that was the most important thing later in life but as a 16-year-old, I wanted to win! In order to make sure we all played with a good attitude our manager who was also our pitcher came up with a great thing. In the middle of the game whenever we as a team were getting frustrated or things were getting out of control, he would yell "Attitude Check" and we all had to yell back "Praise the Lord!" I have to admit, it really did work! it might not have helped us to win, but it did give us a great attitude!

     Fast forward 44 years later. About 3 weeks ago I threw my back out getting into my car. This past week at work we were very short handed. I had to open the store with one other person when I normally have 2 people with me. I have to confess these past 2 weeks my attitude was not great. I had a lot of questions for God as to "Why?' and "I don't get it, God." Through it all I decided to give myself an "Attitude Check" and say "Praise the Lord!" Even though "things" might not go the way we want them to, we need to look at the positive side and say "Praise the Lord!" Let's give ourselves an "Attitude Check" and not lean on the side of a bad attitude, but a good one. Life is too short! 

UNTIL NEXT TIME!!