Tuesday, January 25, 2011

High Class Problems, Chapter 2

When I wrote a post last year about High Class Problems,
I asked the Lord to forgive me for complaining about the stress of book revisions
and the pain of living ten hours from our grandkids.

Since then, I’ve encountered these people:


1. A dad who’s nearly blind because of diabetes raising his four kids alone after his wife took off with an online lover;


2. The sister-in-law of an acquaintance having to continue to work while going through chemo, because she’s the sole insurance carrier of the family;

3. A dear friend visiting her son in a psychiatric hospital the week before Christmas to tell him that his grandpa—her dad—passed away.



Again, I feel overwhelmed by the blessings of health, family, and freedom I often take for granted.

1. So, we hit a deer and our car was in the shop for four days—we had a church van to use, and the insurance covered all but $250 of the repairs. Our car now smiles in the sun, showing off her face-lift.


2. So, our son could be with us at Christmas for three days—we have a healthy, brilliant son who loves us enough to drive ten hours over snowy roads to visit us.

3. So, I’m stilled bummed that I can’t see my darling grandkids more than three times a year—but they cannon into us when we arrive, knocking us over with joy. Perhaps if we were next door to them, we’d not get that royal treatment. We are heroes to them, and that just feel s so spectacular.


Once again, Lord, forgive me for complaining about my high class problems. Please use me to lift up those who are broken and hurting, showing them the way to You.

When you are tempted to grumble about your leaky ship, does the Lord show you someone in a sinking boat, to give you perspective?

13 comments:

  1. It really is all about perspective, isn't it? Thanks for the reminder!

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  2. Wow, even this post throws some of my current concerns into place. Etch-A-Sketch my head a little and I'm reminded I've got nothing much to complain about.

    ~ Wendy

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  3. Wow! Your post definitely puts things in perspective, Jen! I've heard that complaining is like praise to the devil...and oh, have I complained! Love the idea of praying for those with big needs every time I'm tempted to complain. Have a praise-fest this week!! God bless!

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  4. I will cry with you about not seeing grandkids only a few times a year. :))
    The part I love about GOD is He takes our own problems as serious as the one next to us that someone has. YOu still hurt Jen and that is important to you.

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  5. It's so easy to focus on and only remember the bad things. Thanks for the gentle reminder. :O)

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  6. Absolutely He does. And thank you for the reminder.

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  7. Good reminder, thanks, Jen. Whenever I grumble at minor things I think of a friend who has had a life full of catastrophes and sorrow and yet always has a smile and cheerful word, and it pricks my heart. I often think of that very familiar saying, "I complained because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet." Ann Voskamp's recent release, "One Thousand Gifts", reminds me to count my blessings.

    You are one of them today, dear friend.

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  8. Sometimes it is so easy to be sucked in to all that is going wrong when in comparison to others I have it easy. Thanks for the reminder that I need to count all of the blessings and not so much what didn't go the way I planned or liked.

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  9. Echoing Terri...God balances me constantly, reminding me of this very truth of which you speak, but working with me, still, in the midst of my own trials. Doesn't mean what you (I) go through isn't ouchie. Just makes me glad I don't have anyone else's cross.

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  10. One of the things that just blew me away about bloggin' besides all the wonderful friends and support is the outreach along with the opportunities here to spread the love of God. I pray that I can be a uplifin' voice in a troubled life.

    God is good! :o)

    Enjoy your day sweetie and may it be richly blessed!!!

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  11. Jen, I live next door to my in-laws (yes. i'm still waiting for my husband to erect a statue to me). We've lived here for seven years and in that time my kids have grown a bit. They hardly see my in-laws and they don't really get excited to see them either. We see each other now LESS than we did when we lived in another town. Go figure. Enjoying the happy cannons. ;)

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  12. Yes He does and thanks for this reminder Jeanette:)

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  13. Jeanette:
    We all have the option of looking at the proverbial glass as half-empty or half-full. The joy of the Lord helps me to see things in a brighter light than others.

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Oh, it's YOU! I'm so happy to see you here today, and look forward to reading your comments.