Get the Picture? | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Get the Picture? | Previous Challenge Entry
By PamFord Davis
05/30/13
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Me, a whiner? As Israelis murmuring against Moses, their spiritual leader in the wilderness, my complaints are resentful, repetitive and reek of selfishness. I stand guilty, hang my head in shame and plead guilty as charged.

Confession may very well be good for the soul, but it sure makes me squirm at this keyboard. My fingers hit the keys with hesitancy and trepidation. I much prefer spouting pointed precepts of being a contented whatever dweller of Philippians 4:8.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things (Philippians 4:8 NAS).”

Nope, I’m not a permanent whatever dweller in God’s prepared place of peace. Instead, I frequently set up housekeeping in Elijah’s dank and dark cave of despondency. Surely, the whining and discontent of Elijah burned the Lord’s ears.

“And he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down thy altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away (1 Kings 19:10 NAS).”

Poor, poor prophet… Poor, poor me. Pity party in progress; please do not disturb. My oldest sister Donna used to whine a lament ending in “Guess I’ll go eat worms!”

My diet does not consist of worms and of this, I am thankful. Yet, I do often eat my own words and admittedly, they can be bitter as bile, deadly and distasteful. I whine and grumble, most often at those closest to me. I would not dare show out to those I aim to impress. They would shun me for sure.

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another (Ephesians 5:14-15 NAS).”

Consumed? Apostle Paul hit his target dead center, bulls-eye! The first thought that came to my mind, though a bit farfetched was a Venus Fly Trap plant. They devour food with one gulp. My whine is menacing.

I segue here, from whine to another negative malady. I pout. Get the picture? Not only do I grow bitter but also I have a countenance to match. I’m an old sourpuss. I just may decide to throw a tantrum. I want my way and I want it now. I’m winding up…I’ll let it loose; I’ll whine!

You say, “Go ahead; see if I care!”

Well, that sure takes the fun out of whining; if I don’t have an audience and pity, why bother.

I’m setting a new course. It’s high time I made a return trip to whatever, sign the register as Contented Dweller, unlock the door to my suite with a panoramic paradise view, and unpack my bags. Interested? Look for the flashing neon sign…Peace!

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