What makes the difference between the persistent grumbler and the obnoxiously grateful? I mean, why is gratitude obnoxious in the first place? You can say it's attitude and we all get that, but what is that all about? If you are chaffed by someone else's gratitude, perhaps you need to look out of your own box and find what you have instead of what you don't have. Find the promises and not just the problems. It's possible that the 'happy' person you disdain has just done that and their joy is actually accented by their need instead of being crushed by it.
I recently read "I may not have everything I want, but I have everything I need." Without going into the whole 3rd world economy thing, I have to say that I have most of what I want. I mean, I can always think of something I'd like to have -a new refrigerator, a finished woodworking shop, a bigger sunroom for all the plants I house in the winter, a 3rd bathroom accessible from the pool, that perfect pair of dressy low heeled leather boots that fit like a dream and look awesome with anything I wear. You get the picture -that's just stuff. But does not having it leave me in want? Not really; I can live most of my days without thinking of those things twice if at all. If my life were to end tomorrow, I would not be complaining about those things with my dying breath.
There are relational issues that leave me in want. But I can't rule the heart of another and grumbling won't make it okay, even though some days I just do it anyway. Prayer gives hope for 'someday', though I'd prefer it be now. If I concentrate on other people's behaviors and attitudes, I will never be satisfied. If I concentrate on the awesome love God gives and seek ways to be a blessing to others, I find the joy overtakes my frustration and onliness.
I am a person who overthinks things and my conclusion is that God knows me better than I do. Wants are bound in minutes and hours. We get through it. Grouchy won't fix it for sure. I'm not going to grumble anyone into friendship or appreciation or honor.
So today, I choose to accept the 'want' as a step in my journey and trust God with tomorrow knowing that he gives the desires of our hearts not the fleeting covet marked by shopping trips or television shows. If I set up an idol in my heart he's not going to honor it anyway. Today I shall ignore the persistent grumbler in me and release the obnoxiously grateful. At least that's the plan.
I have much to be thankful for.
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