No more whining or complaining for me…today 🙂
I woke up a little crunchy today. I wasn’t grouchy, I wasn’t happy, I was just what I call “crunchy.” I had a moment when I had to tell myself, “No more whining,” and I hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet! Here’s where it started: I was ready to get out of bed to spend time with the Lord. I needed that time because the week had been harrowing.
Then, I heard the quick pitter-pats of my three-year-old as he mysteriously appeared at the foot of the bed. His fluffy little white “blanky” clutched tightly in his little hands, he hopped into the bed and positioned himself between my husband and me. “Prayer time not happening,” I murmured to myself. “
It seemed I couldn’t even get an early-morning moment to myself. [insert sad violin music here]
I know a lot of mommies feel that way. I know I’m not the only one. Here is why young mothers like me can feel exhausted:
- Sleepless nights: Kiddos need attention throughout the night. “Mommy, I need you” or “Mommy, I’m thirsty.” Sound familiar? This can lead to young mothers not getting enough rest and experiencing constant sleep deprivation. The lack of sleep can have an accumulative effect and contribute to physical and mental exhaustion.
- Constant caregiving: Raising a baby requires constant attention. Young mothers often have to juggle their needs, caring for the baby, and other daily responsibilities. The constant care and attention can wear them out both physically and emotionally.
- Social pressure: Social expectations and comparisons with other mothers can also play a significant role in the exhaustion of young mothers. Constantly feeling judged or pressured to meet certain standards can generate stress and emotional exhaustion.
- Lack of support: Not having a strong support system can make young mothers feel even more exhausted. Feeling alone and without help can increase the emotional and physical burden, leading to greater exhaustion.
It is important to remember that exhaustion is normal and that all mothers need time to rest and take care of themselves. Seeking support, delegating tasks, and allowing oneself time to rest are valuable actions to address exhaustion and maintain a healthy balance in the life of a young mother.
Anyway, here is when my pity party ended…
I climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen to start breakfast. I turned on the television to see what I could find for my kiddo to watch while I prepared breakfast.
My channel defaulted to the news. I guess that was the station that was on the day before.
Anyway, my heart instantly sunk into my chest as I watched the heart-wrenching turmoil, pain, and devastation the people of Haiti were enduring at that moment.
OMG!!!!!
The wails, the chaos, and the destruction made me so desperately sad for them and… deeply ashamed of myself.
You see, this morning, I was determined to whine about something so petty and frivolous.
I SAW REAL TROUBLE AND GENUINE PAIN before I could even craft the words to my whiny morning prayer. Suddenly, my life was put into perspective. I thought to myself, “No more whining.”
Instead, count your blessings and name them one by one…
Let’s recap my almost “whiny” morning and count my blessings at the same time.
After all, I woke up in my warm, beautiful home this morning. No more whining.
I, then, rose from my cozy bed using my own strength. No one had to lift me from it. No more whining.
Grateful I could take a deep inhale with no help from a machine or anything. Some people don’t have that luxury. No more whining.
Not to mention, I slept rather well because no one telephoned me in the night to advise me a loved one had passed away or fallen victim to an attack. Oh, how blessed I am! Don’t you dare whine about anything!
Praise Break: Thank you, Jesus, for all your goodness.
I saw my husband arise and go downstairs to seek the Lord in the morning hours. That’s a blessing– a man who wants to know God and live by His standards. What was I going to complain about again?
To say nothing of the fact my three-year-old is totally healthy, totally thriving. He is blessed with two Christian, loving, and hard-working parents –another blessing easy to overlook. God is so good. Who could whine?
Counting my blessings could never be complete without considering my oldest kid.
He is a strong, sweet boy in his integrity and lives for Christ of his own volition—no whining to do.
He’s in college. Not all moms can say that of their sons. He’s “feeling” his way through the fresh throngs of adulthood with integrity and determination. Wow! What a faithful God! No complaining here!
I could go on and on about the blessing of having a television or being able to see a television with healthy eyes, etc. Yep, I’m too blessed to whine now.
But… I won’t. You get my point.
Now for the best blessing of all…Jesus!
A Savior that can reach down from heaven and heal the hurting – anyone hurting.
He can bring restoration to those who have lost everything (like the people of Haiti) and make new beginnings for all the wounded.
Hallelujah to a God – a Father – that invites us all to confidently approach his throne of grace, so we may find mercy to help us in your time of need.
Whether our problem is big or small, He’s a God close by and not afar off.
No need to complain, Girl!
All I got is fresh praise to God Who makes all things possible and fresh prayers for the people of Haiti.
Here are a few anti-pity party scriptures to remind you (and me) to remind us to live in thankfulness!
Psalm 107: 1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 100:4-5
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
1 Corinthians 15:57
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 4:4-5
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
