Grumbling Gratitue Graciously

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

- Philippians 4:11-13

   The Southern peach state dons her peak fiery foliage despite such disappointing warmer temperatures as the United States gathers for the feast of giving Thanks this week.  With belly in full-invisible-feet- bloom,  and my fourth baby fully blossomed, I waddle in a time of waiting for the bursting forth when the God the Great Gardener decides. However, instead of graciously growing gratitude, I fester with grumblings. For the last trimester of pregnancy produces a cornucopia of complaints such as: heavy belly that often bumps and prevents bending down, sore lower back from carrying such a pertruding belly, pressure on the pelvic, swelling of the ankles and fingers, often numb or tingling fingers, sensitive emotions, a forgetful brain and a lower energy causing a constant exhaustion. Moreover my massive mummering grumble: the labor work to bring forth life through blood, sweat, and tears; as well as every other woman bodily fluid possible.

  Despite such real grumblings gripping  my body everyday, I still seek to cultivate gratitude. Yet in a season of suffering, only grace grabs gratitude from such great grumblings.

FIND GRACE: To shift from grumblings to gratitude, a refrain full of grace must resound. My personal mental shift of late pregnancy suffering: my temporary pain produces an eternal life, not pointless but beyond purposeful; every cramp, every slow movement, every pressure shall result in the welcoming of a new life soon.

RECEIVE GRACE: When in a state of suffering, limitations and weaknesses reveal such vulnerability. The need to rely on the strength of others without the guilt of not carrying as much load. So I shift to receive such graces guilt-free, grateful for the one thing rather that grasping to be all things.

GIVE GRACE: Once one receives, such grace gives. Gentle encouragement emerges reassuring of mistakes as opportunities to grow not condemn.  Thus grace outpouring gives space for others' weakness, mistakes and vulenrabilites, particularly people close enough to expose themselves such as husbands and children, opportunies for their external messiness and internal chaos responded with understanding and kindness.

So may grace found, received and given transform grumblings into gratitude by forgiving self-pitying attitudes!