I don’t know about you, but I complained a lot this past week.

I complained about:

* my “check engine light” coming on again in my completely paid for Jeep

* a long day at work where I get paid for working with the most amazing people

* the doctor’s office not calling in my insurance-paid-for prescription soon enough

* the price of gas that I have to put in my completely paid for Jeep that’s still running because the “check engine light” wasn’t a problem after all

* the 70’s decor in the mountain condo I got to stay in for free

* the bad mattress in the 70’s condo I got to stay in for free

* my kids “dumping” all their problems on me because they still want me in their lives even though they are adults

* my kids not returning my calls because my son is busy taking finals after his first year of law school and my daughter is busy running her own business

* the air-conditioning in my office being too cold

* a friend misunderstanding me and telling me about it because she really cares and wants to understand

* not getting enough sleep because I am working on an exciting new project

* the heat and dry weather because we need rain

* it’s going to snow this next week

I think you get it.  I complained about a lot of stuff in the midst of my pretty amazing life.

And then I met Lauren.  Lauren is 14 years old — a freshman in high school.  I will let you listen to her story.  You can find it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCgBKwAG8jA&feature=share or click on the link below.

I’ve listened to it a few times and I am brought to my knees — to give thanks and check myself before those complaints come so quickly and easily from my heart to my lips.  I want to follow this 14-year old and consider my difficulties an opportunity to love.  As artist Brian Andreas wrote, “Anyone can slay a dragon . . . buy try waking up every morning and loving the world all over again.  That’s what takes a real hero.”

My Story

“O my soul, bless God.  From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!  O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!”  (Psalm 103:1)