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Quit Complaining!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, (Philippians 2:14) 

Man! What?! I can't believe the gall of that guy Paul! Haha. 

How can age have anything to do with complaining, grumbling and arguing? I should be wiser, calmer and a peacemaker. But it seems so easy to be what Paul was warning against! Doesn't it? I know that you know what I mean. 

Years ago both Dawn and I made a pact. I think that it came just after a Bob K tirade. We said to each other, "let's not become old and cantankerous! If I start, please let me know!" 

Well, here we are, old. And it really does seem so easy to be crotchety! Grumble? Complain? Argue? I have the skill of a fine craftsman. I can pick out a defect in someone or something from a mile away. I can see how a plan can and will go wrong before the person is half way through their explanation. 

Some would call this point of view "negative" I call it, "being a realist" or being "practical". 

So this idea that Paul had, to stop grumbling and complaining, seems to indicate that my malady is not new or only a Mike thing. It is a common thing that is related to my nature and yours. Yes, yes I know that you share my grumpiness. If not now, you eventually will. 

What is our remedy? What is our escape or help? Just this, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." Period. An amazing economy of words. Sickeningly simple. Just stop doing it. 

We know that we have the wherewithal to accomplish this grumpilessness because dear Peter the apostle tells us that we do (2 Peter 1:3). I hate it when that happens. Oops. 😇

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