When I think where I was exactly ten years ago, I find that my commute and my current work situation isn’t as bad as I perhaps have made it out to be. I don’t deny the challenges associated with a 9 hour work day after driving for over 90 minutes. Today, my commute was roughly 2 hours and 37 minutes. I could not let myself complain, and I was fascinated because a lot of my time has been spent doing just that, complaining.
When, I speak of working far for from home, negative comments roll off my tongue at the blink of an eye. It’s amazing how much I could identify as being wrong with this situation. Somehow today seemed to be very different. I sipped a large cup of coffee while reflecting, and recognizing how bearable this really has been. I know the Lord has brought me safely through and out of demanding, challenging, seemingly unbearable situations and I have to admit how grateful I should be. You see, ten years ago today, I was in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as an Army Reservist. I didn’t want to be, but it was my reality, my appointed time for that stage of life. My unit had been activated due to the events of September 11, 2001. I did not anticipate this because I returned to the military when reserve units had not been doing much other than their peacetime assignment. I thought of this as a “safe” option and that I wouldn’t be taken away from my children.
<When I saw how quickly the needs of the military changed, I knew my brilliant plan would also be affected. The coming months would require major changes including arrangements for my children and their long-term care in my absence. As I planned, the list of needs continued to grow. Wow! Look at how demanding life was just ten short years ago! In my current situation, complaints point more toward what I want and how I want it. I want to be near even though the kids are capable of doing so much for themselves. Can I just pause for a minute and see that there are really blessings here? What if I had to rely exclusively on emails and phone calls as I did ten years ago? I suddenly feel convicted because I have immersed my thoughts with how long the drive has been coming and going. I have been able to see my family before and after work during the past fourteen months, yet I have spent a lot of this time murmuring and complaining.
When I honestly stop long enough to think about God’s goodness, I have to humble myself and tell the Lord “thank you”! Things could be totally different right now. Ten years ago, I couldn’t get back to the U.S. quick enough to see my family, yet, I had to wait. Today, the wait is a few short hours and I awaken each day to do it all over again. I may not see a perfect situation, but my heart is content in knowing that God hears and answers my prayers. He is STILL working things out for my good.
When I look around my desk, I see reminders such as: “No complaining, especially if you can’t change it” and “I can’t, but God can”! Today, I will purpose in my heart to see the blessings in every situation. I’ve known the importance of doing this for quite some time, but somehow strayed away from this level of thinking. I pray that someone who has also fallen into a complaining spirit will read these thoughts and allow the Lord to speak to their heart as well. None of what we experience comes as a surprise to our heavenly Father. Continue to call out “to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy…” (Jude 24).
Don’t forget to check out 27 Hours, the new novel by Gerald C. Anderson, Sr. at Amazon.com!
Matthew 8:24-26 says, “24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’”
