Proper 21: Old Testament, Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29          

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29

Whining kids always grinds me. It doesn’t matter where, how many or what the circumstances. I just don’t like it. It’s akin to those proverbial finger nails scraping the chalkboard. I do all I can to just fold inward and hide. I hate it when kids complain.

New subject: I don’t mind my own complaining much. In fact, my complaining is always well-placed and the timing is always impeccable. So what is the difference? The complaints of others, no matter their age, are always focused on someone else’s needs or wants. And my displeasure on the behalf of the complainer simply means that I have little in me that truly cares for the complainer. That, in and of itself, is horrible. And again, my complaining is always justified.

This week’s Old Testament is a great example of complaining at the gifts of an all-wise and all-good God. It’s almost difficult to write the previous statement because, well, it is just so wrong.  But read the text carefully and ask yourself a number of questions:

1-Do I ever complain about anything?

2-Do I ever complain about benefits given to me (which are always God’s gifts)?

3-Do I allow my neighbor the space to complain?

4-Do I care about the wants and needs of my neighbor?

5-Do I see the Lord as the giver of all good gifts?

6-Am I a complainer or a giver of thanks?

Simple questions, but not easy ones. Don’t rush through.