complaining...

I was recently challenged to make a positive change in my life and in the life of those around me and STOP COMPLAINING. I don't think I complain more then the average person but after quite a few days I must say that not complaining is actually proving to be very difficult. I have not made it 24 hours so far without complaining, gossiping or criticizing.

I am wearing a purple bracelet on my wrist to remind me not to complain and I am praying that the Holy Spirit will transform my heart so that I can be more thankful and less negative. If you want more information about becoming complaint free you can visit this website: www.acomplaintfreeworld.org (whole churches have taken this on as a challenge and there is a sermon you can download with applicable verses as to why we shouldn't complain).

Now here is what I have realized in this short time about what I complain about and what other moms around me complain about. Our KIDS! As I began paying more attention to what comes out of my mouth I was surprised to find how often my complaints relate to something my kids have done (or have not done). It seems to be a major part of how we interact. We even compare and compete about how "bad" our kids are or how "horrible" our week is going. Often we justify complaining by labelling it as "venting" which may sometimes be the case but either way I think this is one habit that we need to "kick."

Ever complain about how much your kids complain? I know I have! They complain about what's for dinner, what they want to do, what they don't want to do… right? I wonder where they picked that up from?

We LOVE our kids so lets lift them up and set an example of how to be thankful in all circumstances for the good things God has blessed us so abundantly with. Let's build up our fellow MOM friends with encouraging words.