Cure for a heart so prone to grumble:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. – Phillipians 4:8 (NIV)

In my heart, and much too often from my mouth, I a quick to grumble. Maybe it is just a big sigh, scowling eyebrows or body language that speaks...but it is all an overflow of my heart. The battle to fight against my heart that is so quick to be discontent can be won with praise.

Tonight there are some specific things I want to thank the Lord for in a special way:
1. My children have never asked me, "Mom, are we going to have anything to eat today?"
2. Flushing toilets, carpeted floors, walls, a roof and windows and the ability to do laundry
3. A sanitation department
4. Access to a Bible (many, actually) written in my native language
5. A godly husband who works hard to glorify God in our home and at his workplace
6. A solid, Bible teaching church
7. Access to so much awesome Bible teaching via the internet, radio, books, etc
8. The health of our family
9. The general temperate weather we have in the NW (no real extremes or usual occurrences of things like tornadoes)
10. The freedom to talk about Jesus without fear of imprisonment or death
11. Not daily fearing for the safety of my family because of where we live (because of gangs, war, or a corrupt/dangerous government)
12. Water

There is so much more to say, but these ones have been prevalent in my heart today. At the same time, I know there are many out there who cannot share my list of specific praises. I, too often, forget about them...forget to do anything for them...even pray for them. Not tonight. Tonight, I remember.

Lord, help me to be mindful of those who, if they saw all the amazing things You have blessed me with, could not even begin to imagine what there would be left to grumble about. Please humble me. Please keep me thankful. Please keep me on my knees.