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Friday, June 21, 2013

You've GOT to be Kidding

Photo:howtomakeyourmanperfect.wordpress.com
Teenagers.
Don't you hate it when they pout?
After all, what does pouting really say?
"You've got to be kidding."
"This isn't even close to good enough."
"What about ME?"

Teenagers. Go figure.
They are world class pouters.
And I, of course, being older and wiser, am not.

And, then I got out of bed.
"Oh, man...the cat threw up again."
"Who left their wet towels on the floor?"
"Turn on the air, will you? It's really hot out there."
"I don't want cereal for breakfast. Can't we have french toast?"

Complaints. Whines. And yes, pouting.
Nothing is good enough.
And, just like a pouting teenager insults what I have given her, I insult what God has given me.
Yes, the cat threw up, but she also calms and cuddles.
Yes, someone left wet towels on the floor, but the floor is tiled and nothing is harmed.
Yes, it's 90 degrees today, but it's not 30 below and it's not snowing again.
Yes, cereal isn't the most exciting breakfast, but it's easy and nutritious and doesn't burden anyone.

Turn back, my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has been good to you; He has kept my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.--Psalm 116:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you, it is the gift of God.--Ephesians 2:9

What God gives me is GOOD--not because it makes me happy, but because it comes from Him.
Thinking it is anything else simply becomes pouting.

13 comments:

  1. Yes, God is good. Thanks for this :)

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  2. Dear Joanne
    This is precious! We are at times, well oftentimes, not much more than pouting teenagers! Oh, that our Father will bless us with a grateful heart and forgive us our pouting.
    Much love XX
    Mia

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    1. I find that I have to be so careful...that I so often see the bad attitude of others because I practice the same attitude myself. Sigh.

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  3. That image you put up for your post is PRICELESS!

    Love the way you reset yourself to see the positive. Not easy to do, especially in the face of negativity. God teaches in so many ways, doesn't he?

    Peace in Christ,
    Ceil

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    1. Thanks, Ceil, but it was way more conviction than the positive. Yes, God teaches us, but the lessons sometimes rest rather heavy.

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  4. "What God gives me is good, not because it makes me happy but because it comes from Him."
    What a great perspective, Joanne.

    Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, dear. I do so like to see your smiling face.

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  5. You are exactly right!!! I need to wake up grateful for the wonderful life I have. Thanks for inspiring me today :)

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    Replies
    1. And thanks, Liz, for stopping by. Not such a bad life, is it?

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  6. Great reminder. Sometimes I am as pouty as a teenager (although generally with less eye rolling lol), and it probably annoys those around me as much as a teenager.

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    Replies
    1. There is something about the eye rolling, isn't there? Ah...

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  7. Ah, what a good reminder of the things we've been given!

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    Replies
    1. Why do we so often discard the beautiful things that jump up and down in front of us every day crying to be noticed? Sigh.

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