Grumble, grumble, grumble

It was time for desert.

Grandma Paul was at our table again.
She lived only a few miles away and was a frequent guest.

Desert was offered and everyone dove in eagerly to the large portions handed out - until it came to Grandma Paul.

Clearing her throat she would say: "I'll just take a very tiny portion."

That directive was followed - often with some expressions of "are you sure that is enough?".

And her comment, after receiving her insisted-upon small portion always followed: "Well that is a very small amount."

Just a little grumbling to adjust the feelings she must have had inside aways was needed.

Saw a cartoon that portrayed a youngster having received the firm instructions to "lie down" - saying - "I may look like I am lying down, but on the inside I am standing."

Grumbling - obedience on the outside, complaining on the inside. Saying yes, and feeling no. Smiles on the face and acid in the stomach. Nice words when present - and ugly ones when out of earshot.

Grumbling is infectious. It can spread to an entire nation....actually did....and it led then to a serious crisis. (Check out the Bible - Numbers 14 for one account) I Corinthians 10:10 - do not grumble...it can lead to destruction.

Want to stop but can't seem to?

Two bits of thought:

1. Simply resolve to stop grumbling - it gets habitual. Make this the moment when you determine strongly to begin a new pattern of speech control. For extra help try the buddy system on this asking a friend to alert you to times you do, so that you can sharpen up on your tongue-control.

2. #1 doesn't seem to be helping enough? How about trying a depth personality makeover. That's what can happen when God starts to work within us. Here is one of many promises He makes: "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone... Ezekiel 11:19.

May the words of our mouths today, give joy, and life, and love to all around us.

Dave