As you know (I'm guessing you know, since you're reading this blog) I work at a United Methodist Church and attend a different church. Most years on Easter and Christmas my family will attend the church I work at, as well as our "home" church. This Easter we attended Fellowship on Good Friday and FUMC Grapevine on Sunday. I was most intrigued by the sermon research I had done for Ken's Easter sermon, so I wanted to 1) hear and see the effect and 2) have my family hear and see Ken's sermon as well. Ken got an idea from a pastor in Kansas and decided it was perfect to try at Easter with our congregation and guests. The Rev. issued a challenge to his congregation to go 21 days without complaining. He based the challenge on Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without complaining or arguing….” On Easter Sunday, we gave away close to 3000 orange wrist bands and he instructed us to move the band to the other wrist each time we caught ourselves complaining. Every time you complain, the 21 days starts over. The idea is that a new habit is formed in 21 days. I may never know.


So this idea has really taken off, you cannot imagine the stories and emails we have received in the last week. People (myself included) are really amazed at how much they complain. At first I had faith that I could accomplish this task. After all, I am the cheerleader (no pun intended toward Sydney) for our family. I am the one always saying "It will be OK", "Look at the bright side" ETC.ETC.ETC.

After two weeks, it's not looking so good. I am still on day one. In my defense here are some things to look at...

1) It is humanly impossible for a mother to not complain. Have you seen my kids rooms? Asked them to help with the baby? The dishes? The laundry? Their homework?
2) It is impossible to watch girls play softball without complaining. If it is not the umpire making a bone-head call, it is the coach not paying attention or forgetting how to pitch.
3) It is physically impossible to drive without complaining. I've heard this concept is worse in Europe. God bless them.
4) I have a 15 month old baby that does not sleep through the night and a 45 year old husband that can sleep through a train crashing into our house. Enough said.
5) I have four girls.
6) I started that last one and was going to list all their activities, but really I can just stop there.
7) We live in Texas, with Texas weather... if we can't complain about the weather, what do we say to each other?

So for now, our entire staff does not complain, but they look as though they are going to rip someones head off at the drop of a pin. Keeping all the complaining inside, can really mess you up!

If nothing else, I never realized how much I complain. My entire family doesn't have their wrist bands on anymore, they have given up. Bob never put his on.

So... I think about my words more carefully now. I don't think I'll ever make 21 days, but I'm still trying. Want to join me at Day One?

Labels: Complaining