As I mentioned in my last post, our Pastor has challenged us to a Grumble Challenge. For the most part things have been going well and I’ve been able to keep my Grumble in check. Of course, I have moments (sometimes many moments strung together to make a few hours) that I forget and lose sight of the goal.
One of those moments occurred this afternoon while I was out running errands. I exited the freeway, drove to the end of the ramp and noticed a lot of traffic in a place that doesn’t ordinarily have a lot of traffic. I was about to start grumbling when I noticed a man walking along the side of the road. He was pretty disheveled in appearance, and you could tell almost immediately that he was homeless. His hair was a mess. His clothes were a mess. His shoes were a mess. But hanging from his shoulder was a pristine looking green duffel bag. You could tell by the way he held this bag, that he cherished it – that it was something he truly valued.
In that moment, God reminded me of the Grumble Challenge. He reminded me of my amazing church family. He reminded me that our church was able to fill and distribute almost 300 duffel bags to the homeless in Fort Worth on Christmas Day. He reminded me of how blessed I felt when we were able to fill a few of those bags as a family. He reminded me that I really have nothing to complain about. He reminded me that he’ll show me blessings, but if I’m complaining I won’t see them.
He showed me a blessing, and I almost missed it.
But I didn’t. Thank the Lord.
