Overcoming An Ungrateful Heart

You would think by now I would have learned to stay away from the stores with truck load of kids, but a family has to eat, right?  It was one of those days when we had been stuck in the house hibernating from the cold for what seemed like months.  We hadn’t been grocery shopping in weeks.  We had to get out of the house.  So after waiting half the day to pick up one of the kids from ball practice we headed into town.  We went to lunch and made a couple of stops for fun, to get our thrill of fun shopping out of the way before the dreaded chore of the big grocery shop.  I stated that I’d like to drop in one more store, and just as we walk in the door one of my offspring informs me that they are tired, bored and uncomfortable in their clothing.  “Excuse me?  What?”  Something came over me as I looked down at this child that I love so much. There is no end to the desire I have to keep on giving to my kids, so when I asked for something, I guess I expected a better response.  It was like the word “ENTITLED” had been stamped great big in huge letters straight across my child’s forehead.  I was so aggravated and hurt. “Uncomfortable?  You have got to be kidding me”, I thought!

We went right back to the car.  I told everyone we were going home with NOTHING.  “We can eat what is left in the pantry until it’s all gone for all I care!” I declared.  My heart was broken for my child, “I want to do all this and more for you and all I ask of you is a little sacrifice and appreciation. Don’t you know all I would give up so you can have a better life?  I want you to do what is right, to be grateful.  How about a little ‘you’re the MOMSHAMOM’ affirmation every once in while?   How about making this lousy time for you a blessing for me?”    I may have been expecting a lot from my child, but I only want the best for them and a grateful heart is crucial to a joyful life.

I can’t even imagine how my Savior feels, the One who gave up his life for me, when I continuously forget to remember Him.  I’m sure He wasn’t comfortable hanging from a cross by nails.   Over and over again in my head I imagine Him saying these words, “UNCOMFORTABLE?  You have got to be kidding me! Don’t you know all I gave up for you so you could have eternal life?  How about a little ‘you are the KING OF KINGS and the LORD of LORDS’? Or a little Psalms 69:30-31 ‘I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him in thanksgiving.  This will please the Lord.’ ”  

All I can think of is WOW!  So to my Savior I say, “I will praise the Lord at all times.  I will constantly speak his praises” (Ps 34).  It amazes me how God can use my own children to show me what’s missing in my relationship with Him.

With love in Him,

Tanie Ree

Email: AlwaysDramaMama@att.net