Good Morning Girls....or should I say Good Afternoon Girls!  Normally if I don't write first thing in the morning I don't write at all, but I have decided to break some of my self imposed rules.  Besides, I knew last night what I wanted to write about and the fact that I never had time today has been torturing me.

Something happened to me this weekend.  I had me a bit of a self revelation.  I have to admit- it stung a little.  But then again, self revelations normally do!  It's not like most self revelations are things like "wow....I never realized how awesome I am!" or "Wow!  I am more like Jesus than I ever imagined!"

No, most self revelations are usually a little more.....how shall I say it.......convicting I guess.  They are moments when you realize you have been somehow deceiving yourself about certain thoughts, attitudes, or behaviors you have had.  There is one I experience every spring- and I am willing to bet you have experienced it once or twice in your life as well.  It is the moment when you try on your shorts and swimsuit and realize you have been living in sweatpants just a little too long!  It is always so shocking when my muffin top hangs over my shorts.....as if somehow living off of lattes, chocolate, and almond kringler were somehow not going to catch up with me!


However, this weekend I had me a revelation that was more surprising to me than the muffin top over the shorts thing.  And it was this: I have become the very thing that I loathe.  I have become a whiner!   

That's right- I have become a whiner!  I picture some of my friends laughing at me right now and saying "suddenly...." as if to say I have always been a whiner.  Maybe I have....but one things for sure- I have kicked my whining up a notch!

Here's the problem with my whining....it's very "covert" if you will.  I hide my complaints under spiritual jargon and great explanations.  Explanations that will have you nodding your head emphatically with me....maybe even shedding a tear for me.  I have perfected the subliminal "poor me" message.  Oh maybe you can't see it....maybe it's all in my head- the whineball conversations and the pity parties.  I would invite you into my head, but that wouldn't be very nice.....I've got some spring cleaning to do in there!

Now don't misunderstand me.  I am not saying that it is not okay to feel sad or discouraged from time to time.  I am not promoting a false or fake happiness and peace.  I am not promoting more Christianese to be spoken.  I am simply calling myself out.  I have been feeling sorry for myself for months now and its time to stop.  I am offering myself a challenge.  A Whiner Challenge.......

What is the Whiner Challenge?  It's simple.  I am not allowed to grumble, complain, mope, pout, or say subliminal "poor me" things anymore.  Things like "I just didn't see this coming"....."This is not where I thought my life was going"......."I really don't know how much longer I can do this".  Oh I have a thousand of them, but I think you get the point.

So I put the Whiner Challenge out there for two reasons.  One, it helps keep me  accountable.    Two....well.....perhaps there are others out there who need to fast  whining as well.  If so I thought it would be fun to not whine together.....unless of course you are not sick of yourself yet.  Key word being yet........

Philippians 2:14 AMP Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [ against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

Love, Grace, and a Whine Free Day to You All,
Jen (reformed whiner)