April Showers Bring . . . February Back?

"This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." 

Psalm 118:24

Unexpected chill. That's what this morning held for us here in Benton, Arkansas.  We were warned ahead of time that thunderstorms would assault the area, but were assured temperatures would remain warm. So much for forecasts; it's 44 degrees on April 11. Even I know that's cold for spring in Central Arkansas and it's only my third spring here.  I opened Jesus Calling, to April 11: "Be careful not to complain about anything, even the weather, since I am the Author of your circumstances."  Why shouldn't believers complain about the weather? Isn't that a God-given right - or at least a patriotic right? We're not to complain because complaining leads to discontent, and believers who trust God in all things are in training to be content, even when April showers re-introduce February to the area. 

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. . . " Philippians 4:11b

One of our first graders in choir last night was NOT content and she wanted the world to know it.  She wailed with loud moans and shed crocodile tears because it was time to stop making crafts in G.A.'s and go to choir.  Even though we were making coffee can drums in choir, she wanted THE OTHER crafts in THE OTHER room and never stopped looking back.  Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth barely describe her discontent. She used a marker to draw it:  a heart torn in two pieces with the caption "My hart is broken." Now that's discontent.

We, too, know how to put on a show when we don't get what we want, although we've learned to put on our shows with a little more finesse.  All the same, complaining promotes discontent. Discontent leads to anger and depression and this negativity assaults our co-laborers who just want to make a coffee can drum in peace.  Ironically, the complainer becomes the one complained about and the cycle continues.

Imagine a day without hearing a complaint come from our mouths.  Imagine a day filled with gratitude instead of discontent simply because  

"This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." 
Psalm 118:24


Father, complaining is a sport down here.  It's second-nature to many of us.  Teach us to replace our complaints with gratitude. Teach us to receive the gifts in every circumstance, to find the blessing from the unexpected, to leave yesterday's comfort to see what You've stored up for us today. You are our Good God Who knows without fail what we need in the moment to make us more Christlike. We open our hearts gratefully to receive whatever - whoever- wherever that may be.
In the Name of Jesus, Who thanked the Father in all things