We learned early on the strong will of a child, and how one could go to the table and see the same plate which sat in front of them from the night before, and still refuse to eat. Frankly y’all, I don’t have time for that nonsense. They eat, or they go hungry. Sadly enough, this behavior continues with various children night after night. They grumble and complain just like the Israelites. And it wears on my very soul. I love my children. I want to cook for them and teach them to cook for themselves also. I want them to see it is my love and devotion that ensures they have three meals and 2 snacks per day. They are not lacking, even during this tough time. I desperately want my kids to be able to choke down whatever happens to be on their plate and still smile and say thank you. The worst part isn’t that food is currently outrageously expensive, and that our budget is at an all time low, but it is the condition of the heart. Out of the mouth the heart speaks, right? Just as the Israelites wandered in the desert complaining and whining about what they would eat, so do my children. Can you imagine 40 years of manna and quail? Let me repeat that: FORTY YEARS OF MANNA AND QUAIL!!!!! Not 2 nights a week, or once a month, but 3 meals a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year for 40 years! Ugh. Now, some would argue that although they were in a desert, they sure could have had their share of Rattlers; perhaps another winged bird, a cactus or two, but come on! It’s a desert for pity’s sake! Their main course for 40 years was manna and quail!!!!!! May I just add here that even chocolate, steak, beer and Brussels sprouts, or whatever your personal vice may be; it would get old after a week or two at best, let alone 40 years! (Read the whole manna-quail account in Exodus 16.)
Are we in the desert in God’s eyes? Do we whine, grumble and continuously complain when we don’t get what we want? Are we letting our children see our ungrateful hearts regularly? How do we display gratitude and contentment in our daily walks with the Lord in front of our little ones? Let our praise be great before the Lord and let the trumpets sound loudly in our homes!
Psalm 107:8-9 “Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” This entire Psalm is worth the read and applies directly to the wilderness account.
I realized I was complaining in my heart these past 2 or 3 weeks. Probably out loud as well. I complained I didn’t have time to make extra meals, or blog or clean my closet. I complained about slow progress on certain home improvements. I complained about not exercising enough, and on and on. Now, here I sit in my conviction because now I complain about my complaining children! What a good and just God we have! Repentance is a blessing from the Lord. We are so very blessed. We truly have no right to grumble or complain about anything, do we? I have my Lord, my health, family, friends, a home, food and clothes and a husband who is responsible for most of the above. Thank God. Blessings.
