Please stop whining...

It seems to be every mother's plea. Please stop whining. Few things can irritate so deeply as the whine of a child...except perhaps, the whine of an adult. So many times we parents whine at our children to stop whining. We whine that we're tired of waiting on them hand and foot. We whine that we have so much laundry to do, or so many bills to pay, or so many errands to run. Whine, whine, whine. How hypocritical and confusing to show a child that it's ok for us to whine about having wash dishes, but not ok for them to whine about cleaning their room. Or that it's ok for us to whine about having to make dinner, but not for them to whine about having to eat dinner!

We whine about having to visit a sick relative, or of having too many places to be, or of being involved in too many ministries. About how we don't have enough time for ourselves because of all our "obligations and responsiblities". We whine so much that we don't even realize we're whining.

It seems that so much of the time we lose sight of the gratitude that should drive us in our actions throughout even the longest of days. We forget that we have so much laundry to do because we have so many clothes. And that we have so many clothes because we have children and a spouse and the money to keep them clothed. Instead of being thankful for the children and the clothing we've been able to provide for them, we grumble about the laundry. We forget that when we have to make dinner, it's because we have families to feed, and the ability to feed them. It's a gift.

Throughout the past year I've tried so hard to view my children through the eyes of gratitude, and you wouldn't believe the difference. Before, when I would take my son to the store and he would throw a fit, I would try to leave as quickly as possible, and quite possibly be in tears by the time the ordeal was over. Now, when they're being difficult, I can take a deep breath, smile, kiss them and tell them that I love them no matter what and be thankful, because I could be sitting by a hospital bed at St. Jude's wishing my baby was well enough to throw a fit at the store.

We have been given so many incredible gifts...all of us. Even those who seem to have so little can find something to be thankful for. And if we live a life of gratitude, we improve our own quality of life, as well as setting a wonderful and consistent example for our children. And what a wonderful thing to teach your child, that you love them and are thankful for them even when they're being the most difficult. Practice now, we'll need it to be habit when they're teenagers. =)