Murmurming

It’s hot!  Of course, what do I expect? It’s July in South Georgia.  It’s supposed to be hot.  Seventeen years ago this month my family moved back home. We had spent fourteen years in Indiana and Michigan.  My mother died earlier that year, and I had started looking to move closer to family even when she first became sick. 

            Our family enjoyed our time in the upper Midwest.  We were blessed to be in two great churches.  It was a challenge to be a pastor there, but it was a lot of fun as well. Still, our hearts longed to be closer to family.

            Before coming to Shellman Bluff, we spent more than fourteen years in Pembroke. I had never lived in South Georgia before, but I made a promise to God. I told him, after fourteen winters up north that I would never complain about the heat.  I’ve kept that promise.

            Now, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t acknowledged the heat. I’ve gone inside to sit in front of the air conditioner vent. And I have certainly been grateful for both A/C and cooled seat in a car. What a marvelous invention!

            But complain? I won’t do it. I’ll tell you very simply. I prefer July here to February in Michigan.  And I hope never again to shovel snow.  There is nothing enjoyable about it.

            It is funny how we complain about so many things. The children of Israel did so many times. In the book of Exodus we are told that they “murmured” against both God and Moses. That means they whined and complained and grumbled and carped, and probably even more words than that. And I know that I have done the same.  Maybe the printer’s not working. Or it could be that my garden needs rain.  Or maybe someone has hurt my feelings, and so I have a pity party for myself. 

            And then I read in the Bible, “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” And I am convicted of my puny whining and grumbling. Why do I do it? And the answer is simple. I’m self-centered and selfish. The biblical word is sinful.  And I need to repent and do better. I need to rejoice, to give thanks, and to remember this simple truth.

            God is good all the time. And all the time God is good. Do you remember that? Do you live by it? Let me remind you one more time. God is good.