Friday, February 24, 2012

GRUMBLE SEAT

2/24/12 This blog title had to be written in all caps because it can be a glaring problem for me. Most recently the inability to use our land line (my source of conversation) or my computer (my source of "blog" communication) had my grumblings rumbling,---thanks to a lack of perfection on Comcast's part. Aha, first clue---never expect perfection. 
This "grumbling" problem shows a deficiency in my spiritual conduct which I too often try to gloss over with a joke. But God.....is continuing to point it out so that I have to deal with it. Scripture has much to say about grumblings (Philippians 2:14) and contentment. (Philippians 4:11 & 1 Timothy 6:6) 
Even Anne Frank, who  could certainly justify her choice to complain, chose instead to remain positive. She, like Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8, could be downcast without giving into despair.  In spite of her circumstances, Anne Frank chose not to grumble. 
  • The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. 
  • Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and in God. 
  • Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy. Look at these things, then find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance.
 
  • And whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery! (www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3720.Anne_Frank)
My remedy is to refocus on  my Creator; to enlarge my heart with gratitude and be thankful, to find joy in the moments.
As someone recently said, so revealingly, "You (Dotsy) have no reason to complain." So, today I choose not to complain----I even choose not to "re-enter" yesterday's blog post. I don't even want to approach that "grumble seat," reminder of yesterday's frustrations and failures.