Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 229 August 14, 2001
Grumble Grumble

My wife and I spent all of yesterday morning running around doing various errands. We headed back for home just after 1:00 p.m. looking forward to a light lunch and a few minutes of relaxation.

The answering machine was flashing, a realtor was due by to look at our house in five minutes. We rushed out to go get something to eat at a nearby restaurant. Then we sat in a park overlooking a lake and relaxed for awhile. Grumble.

We got home later and just settled in when the realtor finally arrived ... late. We took the dog for a walk while they viewed the house. Grumble.

Come supper time another realtor was scheduled to view the house. We went out to supper and then went and sat in the park for a couple of hours. As I sat reading my Bible in the beautiful park, I grumbled.

I was reading the Old Testament.

So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?” Exodus 15:24 NIV

In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death." Exodus 16:2-3 NIV

All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, Numbers 14:2a NIV

What a bunch of ungrateful people. Sitting in the presence of the Lord, watching His hand at work and enjoying his provision and they grumble. How inconsiderate, how selfish.

OUCH. OUCH.

Forgive me Lord for my complaining. For taking your work and trivializing it by my own grumbling.

What are you grumbling about in your life? In the midst of God’s work, what are you trivializing by grumbling? Are you showing gratitude for the way He provides for you?

Until next time, may you be truly blessed by the Lord and be thankful. May grumbling words and thoughts not take hold of you.

God bless.

Kevin