children

Without Complaining

Without Complaining

“I don’t want to clean the toilets,” grumbled Jacob as he scrubbed the inside of the bowl. His sister Julie stuck her head in the bathroom, “At least you don’t have to mop the entire house.” She complained. “My job is harder than yours.”

“No way!” Jacob argued. “We have four toilets, and I have to clean them inside and out. My job is harder.”

“Four toilets are easy. I have to sweep and mop every room, and there are twelve!”

Jacob and Julie continued to compare chores and argue about who had to work harder. Finally, Mom had heard enough.

“Jacob!” she called. “Julie! Both of you come here!” Jacob and Julie went to the kitchen where Mom was washing dishes. “What is going on?” She asked. Jacob and Julie started talking at the same time, continuing to argue, getting louder and louder as they tried to talk over each other. Mom held up her hand and they both stopped. 

“Julie, do you have a warm bed? Nice clothes? Dishes to eat your food off of?” Mom turned toward Jacob. 

“What about you Jacob? Do you have a nice floor to play in with all your toys? A working bathroom so that you can shower and be clean?”

Jacob and Julie both looked at each other and then looked at the floor. Julie was the first to speak.”I’m sorry, Mom. I guess I just got frustrated. I didn’t mean to be so ungrateful.”

Jacob nodded his head. “Me too, Mom. I guess I forgot just how blessed we were.”

Mom reached out to hug both of her children.

“You are both right. We have been blessed. I understand it can be frustrating sometimes, but we have to take care of the things God has blessed us with. That means we have to work together. When you were too little to help, I did it all by myself. Now that you can help, we can spend more time together as a family. The Bible tells us to work willingly and without hesitation out of love for Christ. Our work doesn’t have to be hard if we have the right attitude.”

Jacob and Julie hugged Mom tight.

“Hey, it’s like that song we sang in kid’s choir last week. Remember Julie?”

Julie laughed. “Yeah, the complaining song.” Mom laughed too. “The complaining song? This I have to hear.”

Jacob started singing.

“Do everything without complaining. Do everything without arguing. So that you will become, blameless and pure, children of God.”

Mom smiled. “I like that.”

Follow Up Verse

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15

F. I. T. — Follow It Through

Are you grateful? Do you show it? Always be ready to help out and help others with a good attitude.

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Strong and Courageous

Just a Bully

David came in from school and threw his backpack on the stairs. “Stupid Kevin!” David growled through clenched teeth. Dad came around the corner. “Whoa, what’s going on? Why are you so mad?” David sniffed and Dad reached out to hug him. As soon as David wrapped his arms around his dad, he broke down. His dad patted him on the back and led him to the couch to sit down. “Okay son, tell me what’s going on.” 

David sniffed again and wiped his eyes. “Kevin is being mean to the new guy in our class Gavin. When I tried to be Gavin’s friend, Kevin started being mean to me.” David crossed his arms angrily. “He’s such a bully!” 

Dad nodded his head. “I know that you and Kevin haven’t always gotten along. Did you tell your teacher what happened?”

David sighed and sat back on the couch. “Yes, and she said she would talk to him, but it never changes anything.”

Dad nodded again. “Well, you may have to take matters into your own hands.” 

David straightened and turned towards his dad. “What? You want me to get in a fight?”

Dad laughed but shook his head. “No. I don’t want you to get in a fight, but it is okay to stand up for yourself, as long as you do it the right way.”

Dad explained why some people bullied other people and then they watched some videos about how to peacefully stop a bully. David agreed to try it the next time Kevin picked on him or Gavin. 

The next morning at breakfast, David was feeling nervous. He knew that Kevin would start in on him, and Gavin, as soon as they got to school. 

“What’s wrong? Are the eggs not good?” Dad asked.

David sighed. “I don’t know if I can go through with it, Dad. What if it doesn’t work?”

Dad reached for his Bible. “I know just what you need. One of my favorite verses for when I’m feeling nervous is  Deuteronomy 31:6, “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

David smiled. “Thanks, Dad. Can we pray before we go?” 

“Absolutely.” Dad said.

Follow Up Verse

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

F. I. T. – Follow It Through

Do you get nervous or afraid sometimes? Trust in God. He is always with you. Trust God to take care of you.