APRIL 10, Philippians 2:14 

“Come and dry these dishes, Dylan,” called Mom. “Can’t Dana do it? I hate wiping dishes!” Dylan grumbled. “I’m sick of it.”

“Oh, you’re always sick of something or other,” said Dana. Dad looked up from his paper. “We seem to get the ‘sick of something’ illness too often around here,”he said.“We’re about as bad as the Israelites,who complained and grumbled in spite of all the good things God did for them.”

Mom nodded. “I have an idea for a game we can play to help us learn to stop grumbling,” she said a minute later. “When one of us is caught saying we’re sick of something, we’ll also have to tell something we’re thankful for-something good-about that same thing.”

“Okay. You won’t catch me!” Dana declared, but all Dylan said was, “Huh!” For a while, they were all more careful about what they said. They also listened carefully, hoping to catch each other using the forbidden phrase.

One day, Dana walked in from school with a bulging backpack. “I’m so sick of all this homework!” she said. Dylan walked into the room at that moment. “And what’s there about your homework that you’re thankful for, sister dear?” he asked with a grin.

“Oh, no!”exclaimed Dana. Then she smiled and said, “I guess I’m thankful I know how to do it.” Dana sometimes caught her brother using the phrase, too. As he was going to the patio with a glass of milk one day, she came around a corner and bumped into him. “Now just look what you’ve made me do!” he exclaimed in disgust when the milk spilled on his clean jeans. “You make me sick!”

“I’m so sorry, Dylan,” said Dana sweetly, “but now tell me-what about me are you thankful for?” Dylan looked startled for a moment, and then,

putting the glass on the table, he solemnly said, “Well, I’m thankful you’re not twins.”

“Oh, you!” sputtered Dana, starting after him – and the chase was on.

Mom and Dad laughed as they watched the kids tease each other. “I think this game is doing our family good,” said Dad. “I think we’re all happier

when we’re careful not to grumble.”

Thought: Do you have a habit of grumbling and complaining?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know You were not pleased when the Israelites grumbled, and You will not be pleased with me when I grumble. Teach me to be grateful and not to grumble! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.