Thank God I Have a "Honey-Do List"

I have THREE, 3, dripping faucets at once. Two of them are showers so I'll have to turn the water off to the whole house to replace the stems. The grass needs mowing...again. (Stupid grass). A van to fix. Trees that need to come down and be cut up. I have to get a TV out of the attic to sell in the church yard sale this weekend. (Stupid TV!) 

All of this and more is on my Honey-Do list. That's on top of all the other responsibilities on my plate.

Had to vent. What do you need to vent about?....

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I have often complained about work, broken cars, yard work, my kids, my wife, my church...the list goes on. Why can't the world be like I want it?!

This past weekend, celebrating the resurrection of Christ, God used my children's complaints about cleaning their room and the cross to put things back into perspective. They were complaining about their blessings in life. They were complaining about having clothes and toys. As I pointed this truth out and reminded them of how many children in this world have little or none of these things, I realized that I do the exact same thing.

I complained about work instead of being thankful for having a job and income. I have complained about broken-down vehicles instead of being thankful for having a vehicle. I complain and put off fixing the faucets instead of being thankful for having multiple, clean water sources in one house. There are whole villages on this planet without even one. I have complained about a honey-do list instead of being thankful for the "honey" who made the list.

Thank God I have a "Honey-Do List!"

When I reflected on what Christ did for me on the Friday of His death, I can't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude.  He died for me when He neither had to nor felt like it. He prayed the night before that another way be found. I had done nothing, nothing to deserve His love or sacrifice. Wonderfully, I did not have to get my act together before I could begin a relationship with Him and receive forgiveness. While I was still a sinner, He loved me.

His death and resurrection bought my forgiveness as well as my joy! Every blessing in my life, even the imperfect ones like cars and faucets, are something for which to be thankful. Every struggle is an opportunity to be changed and to see God at work in our lives. 

As our pastor stated this weekend, Easter, the resurrection, reminds us that Jesus is the Victor, not the victim! He calls those who enter a relationship with Him to be a victor as well. If we are not seeing victory in our lives, it probably means Christ is not the Leader of our lives. This doesn't mean all problems magically vanish; it means we can give thanks in all things and grow through them in both our faith and character. 

I am disappointed it has taken me such a long time to truly see this and get it down in my heart, but because of Christ I am thankful for all things. I am thankful for complaining kids and the cross and tomb for giving me this perspective. I pray for Christ's help to maintain it.