A Life of Gratitude

Do anyone else's kids complain about the simplest things? It's something our family deals with from time to time. Lately, I've been asking myself what a complainer really is. As I've studied this, I learned t he Greek word for  complainer  means “one who is discontented with his lot in life.” It is the same word used for  grumbler . Complaining  is detrimental to the peace, joy, and patience that come from the Spirit. So, it's no surprise that someone who complains is often grumpy and impatient. When we hear our children grumbling and complaining, we often show them videos of how families in other places live and discuss how being born in the United States is a gift. We didn’t get to choose where we were born and neither do the children born in impoverished countries. We don’t deserve the many blessings we have any more than those families do. We are simply blessed. We came with nothing into this world, just like everyone else.  As I’ve pondered how easy it is for m

  You probably know the story of Jesus walking on water, but did you realize this miracle happened the very same night as the feeding of the 5,000? The disciples witnessed Jesus turn five loaves and two fish into enough food to feed over 5,000 men and additional women and children. Later that same evening, Jesus sent the people home, sent the disciples back across the lake to Bethsaida, and went to the hills alone to pray. While the disciples were still in their boat, a terrible storm came, and Jesus noticed that they were in trouble. So, He went out on the water to help them. Mark 6:50-52 (NLT) says, “They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once.  “Don’t be afraid,”  He said.  “Take courage! I am here!”   Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. ” They were scared when they saw Him, thinking

  My 9-year-old son plays soccer, but unlike most players, he has no interest in scoring. He only wants to play defense, so he usually plays either goalie or defender. At his last game, his coach called him his team’s “defense hero.” I love watching him track the ball and protect the goal. He isn’t afraid to run toward those players who are rushing towards the goal. He doesn’t only want to keep the ball from entering the goal, he tries to keep the ball from getting anywhere near it! He isn’t afraid for the ball to hit him or even to dive after the ball. He sees the importance of protecting the goal at all costs. He was the youngest kid on his team this year, but he wasn’t intimidated. He knew his job as a defender, and he did it, with confidence. My oldest son played soccer years ago and was literally the kid that stood still and watched the butterflies. If he had been playing defense, every ball would have made it in the goal. As I watched my “defense hero” protect his team’s go