Complaint Department

I know Lent was quite a while ago, but I wanted to share with you what I tried to give up. I tried to give up complaining. Stop laughing. I really did try. And I really never realized how much I complain. I am blessed to work in a great environment with other Christians and we will call each other on it when the Complaint Department seems overwhelmed. We have a lot of reasons to complain, but we really don't have the right to do it. Unfortunately, things come out of my mouth and then it's too late for me to stop it. But, it's not too late for me to do something about it. So, it started around Lent and every day I've been trying harder to get better at not complaining. The biggest thing I need to not complain about is my kids. Here's the reason - they are KIDS! They are not small adults who have the training and knowledge and understanding of life that a 40-year-old should have. They do stupid stuff every day. They make messes and get lazy and whine and make you late and forget their homework and want every toy known to man and honestly believe that money grows on trees. So, yes, I am guilty of complaining about my kids. But, please, if you're reading this and you see me EVER complain about my kids on Facebook, would you send me a private message and remind me of my mission to stop complaining? I don't mean to judge, but I know a few ladies who spend more time on Facebook telling the world how miserable their children make them than they probably do actually playing with their kids! I can't do that. I can't and every time I do I need to be reminded of the person who is the reason I made the Lenten promise. A friend that I grew up with died in March. She had just passed her 42nd birthday and was the mom of two girls around the same age as mine. Just after she died, I was brushing my little girl's hair and started to cry out of nowhere. Sabrina asked me why and I just couldn't tell her. But the reason was because I realized that this woman would never be able to brush her daughter's hair again. That sweet girl would never stand in the bathroom mirror and cringe as her mom pulled on a knot. She would never feel her mom smooth down her hair and put it in a ponytail. Never mind the major things in life - puberty, boys, the prom, the wedding, becoming a mom - this small daily act was what put me over the edge.
Listen, I know kids can be ungrateful and aggravating and all sorts of difficult, but they are children and, if you think about it honestly, they are what WE make them. Kids don't just come out that way. We teach them values and if they don't have them, we really can't blame them now can we?
But just try to keep in mind the next time you are complaining about your kids - at least you have them. At least you woke up with the breath God put in your lungs and they are safe and with you.