The Chronicles of Biscuit: I'm Just Complaining Inside

The Chronicles of Biscuit: Stories about our youngest son whose nickname is Biscuit.

These stories don't happen quite as often now, so it's kind of a treat to be writing a "Biscuit" story now that he's a teenager! Actually, this happened just a few days before he turned 13.  I still like these stories.  I hope I'll write a few more of them before he's grown. Something tells me that I will. :)

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I was trying to get the yard and house straightened up for Biscuit's 13th birthday party.  It was after school one day.  Biscuit was eating a snack, then I told him to straighten up his room and come outside to help me gather up the fall decorations and put out Christmas decorations.

There wasn't much outside, so it didn't end up taking as long as I thought it would.  I came into the house and hollered at Biscuit. "I finished outside, so instead of doing that when you're done with your room, just unload the dishwasher."  I heard back from him, "Okay!"  I paused a minute, waiting for the "But I wanted to help you outside."  It didn't come!

I was a little bit shocked Biscuit didn't say anything about not getting to go outside and work, since he had said earlier he wanted to play outside.  I hollered back, "Thank you for saying okay!  I thought you would complain about it!"  He hollered back, "I'm complaining on the inside!"  Ha ha!  I responded, "Well, that's a good start!"

The Bible tells us to do everything "without grumbling or complaining" in Philippians 2:14-16, which is that passage from which this blog is named. "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life." For most of us, we continue to fail in this area.  For Biscuit - or me, for that matter - to ONLY complain on the inside would be a big start in the right direction.  For me not to voice my complaints, but only to think them would be huge!  Should we even think them?  No, we shouldn't, but a big step in the right direction is to not open our mouths with complaining, but to just keep it to ourselves.  After mastering that goal, then we can move on to allowing God's Spirit to help us control our thoughts.  Transforming into the likeness of Christ is growing more and more mature each and every day.  It's not automatic.  It takes time to become more like Him. We will never reach perfection as He was, but we can become more like Him each day.

How about you?  Can you keep your complaining on the inside?  Would it be a big accomplishment for you?  Let's work on it together!

The Chronicles of Biscuit - The New Deal

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

It's not often any more that I get two "Biscuit" stories in a week, but this week it has happened! 

Tonight Biscuit came to me and asked if he could make a "deal" with me.  I said, "Possibly.  What's the deal." 

Biscuit: Well, I was thinking.....what if for one whole month I didn't complain, didn't argue, and didn't have any negativady (he's pronunciation of negativity) and then, you give me a prize at the end.....except I might mess up two times each month. 

Me:  What's the prize?

Biscuit:  Clothes....like a polo or something like that.

Me:  (Well, it is a season change and most likely I will be buying him a few things, so it's not going to be anything out of the norm, where typically we don't bribe our kids to be good.)  Go ask your dad and see what he thinks.

Biscuit comes back:  Dad said yes, but he's the judge.

Me:  Well, I need to be the judge, too, since I'm home with you more.

Biscuit: (Goes and talks to my husband again.)  Okay.  Dad said that's good.  And so at the end of the month I get a prize and I can mess up just two times.

Me:  Okay.

Biscuit holding out his hand to shake mine:  It's a deal!

Later on:

Biscuit:  Mom, can we start my deal tonight?  

Me:  No Biscuit, you already messed up this afternoon by complaining, remember? 

Biscuit:  Oh, yeah.  Tomorrow then.

*So, now we'll wait and see...... :)  Will Biscuit live up to his "only 2 times messing up in a month"?  I'm not sure.  But what I do know is that I'm proud of him for at least trying to improve in the complaining and arguing and "negativady" areas.  Imagine a world where everyone tried to improve in those areas.  It would be a lot different, wouldn't it?  All I can do is start with ME!  All you can do is start with YOU!

Good job, Biscuit!  I'm proud of you!

The Complaining Jar

A few weeks ago, I'd heard enough complaining from one of our children, that I decided to do something drastic.  I took out an empty jar, wrote "Complaining Jar" on a note pad and taped the note to the jar.  I informed all four children that, from that point on, anyone who complained would pay $1.00 into the jar for every complaint.  I'm sad to say that as of today, the jar has over $30 in it!  I'm even sadder to say that I, myself, have had to put some in it.  In fact, I need to go put $3.00 in it right after I write this post.  I'm not proud of that fact or making light of it - just stating the truth:  I have just as big of a problem with complaining as anyone else in this house.  I think that's why I took the drastic measure to make it visible.....with the money jar.

Earlier this week, one of our children commented on how the jar had quite a bit of money in it.  He stated, "Hey!  That money can go towards our next Disney World trip!"  He thought since we have saved change for years for our previous two Disney World trips, that this money would be used for that, too.  I replied, "No.  This money isn't going to be for something for us.  This money is coming from us doing something we shouldn't be doing, so this money is going to someone else - to help them in some way."  In fact, this money will be donated to a family at a benefit dinner this weekend.  I think at that moment "The Complaining Jar" held an even deeper understanding for the kids.

"The Complaining Jar" has made our family more aware of our complaining.  Hopefully as we continue on in this new year, we will see that it is filling up less and less.  When we're complaining, we're certainly not "Shining Like Stars", are we?

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe...

Philippians 2:14-15

Do Everything Without Complaining...

It seems impossible at times, doesn't it - to do EVERYTHING without complaining?  It seems like it's impossible, anyway.  Or at least it does to me!

Sunday my husband preached both at the morning worship and the evening worship.  The evening lesson was based on the same verses at the title of this blog is based - Philippians 2:14-15.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."

Apparently everyone listened intently to the lesson, as my husband outlined the various types of complainers.  I'm sure most, if not all, of us could see ourselves in at least one of the descriptions. 

All week people have commented about the complaining lesson.  It seems that it's being used to point out to others when they are complaining, whether at a ballgame, at school, or in individual homes.  A friend commented that she needed to hear the lesson again....something about dealing with an armadillo eating her pansies and dealing with an insurance company!

Adults have talked about the lesson, but it's been interesting to hear the children and teens talking about the lesson, as well. Our own children have mentioned it and have said that their classmates at school have mentioned it.  Even our youngest, Tyler, used it on me this morning.

I was helping him take his asthma medicine and saw one of the prescription pills on the floor.  I said, "Tyler, make sure you don't drop those pills.  They cost too much and we need to be careful with them."  He replied, "Mom, Dad's lesson said not to complain and you are complaining about that medicine!"  Well, he was right - I was - but I think he was using that out of context just a bit! 

Another story I heard about the complaining lesson was with one of the cottages at Tipton Home, where my husband works.  After the Sunday evening lesson, the house-dad of the cottage was "complaining" about something that his girls were doing.  They said to him: "We're going to tell Mr. W (my husband) about you complaining."  His reply?  "Well, if you do you will be complaining about me!"  Yes, very true - they would have been!

It's great to see the word of God being taught in such a way that it is reaching the hearts and minds of the kids, as well as the adults.  Sometimes we may get the impression that the younger ones aren't paying attention, but they really are.  Their minds and hearts are soaking in all of the information, which makes it even more important that we are teaching them and telling them about Jesus, as well as showing them Jesus.
They want to know and we must tell!

So, back to the complaining.  I have to admit that I have to work on this issue daily.  From time to time I get out a complaining jar.  If anyone complains, they have to put $1.00 in the jar.  I think it's probably something I should keep out all of the time - just to make us aware of the complaining that comes from our mouths.

In order to "Shine Like Stars" we must combat complaining.  What are some ways you combat complaining?  Let me know!

Back to School?? Already??

I'm getting a little sad that it's almost time for school to start. No offense to any of you who are teachers, (my mom's a retired teacher) but I don't like school any more than my four kids do! I really only like the extra-curricular things of it, like sports, 4-H, FFA, livestock shows, academic teams, Christmas parties, and such.

A lot of parents like getting back into the routine of school, and I do understand why they do. I also understand that for those who have to find childcare during the summer, it is much, much easier for them when school starts. But I just don't like the schedule-keeping and the super-fast pace during the year....and I don't care for the homework, either!

But, I know I shouldn't complain, and I need to have a good attitude for my kids. (That's why I'm telling you instead of them - ha ha!) Actually they've told me not to even mention the word "school" to them! I guess one of them read our weekly town paper were a little "offended" that the school supply list was in there and told the others about it! And so then today Tyler started crying because he doesn't want to go to first grade because he thinks his new teacher is going to be "mean". (That part makes me happy because I know if other kids think a teacher is "mean" then she or he is strict! And that's what I want!)

Our family always feels this way at this time of year and by the end of August, when we're back into the regular school routine, we're just fine. I know it will be that way this year, as well.

Until then I'll just work on my attitude about it and remember to "Shine Like Stars" ...without complaining....

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:14-15

How can I SHINE?

In my study, I began to make an acrostic using the word SHINE. Beginning with "S", it was logical to start with the first part of the verse "do everything without arguing or complaining". "S", then would be STOP ARGUING AND COMPLAINING! Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? Well, we all know, this isn't always easy to do and for some of us, it's harder than it is for others of us. At the time I began this study, my mom had this verse on her chalkboard in her kitchen. That is a pretty good thing for us to do - put a much-needed verse where we are reminded of it throughout our entire day. In fact, Deuteronomy 6:6-9 refers to just that. We may need many verses posted around the house to remind us of God's Word and how relevant it is to our everyday lives.

Here's a question for each of us: Why do we complain and argue? Let's look at three reasons we may argue and complain.

1. We argue and complain because we are selfish. Maybe things are not going the way we want them to. Maybe they truly are not going the way that would be best, but we have to be really careful to not be selfish in our thinking...make sure that we are not only looking to our own interests, but are concerned about the interests in others and their well-being. Am I being selfish in my thinking? Is what I am upset about really that important?

2. We argue and complain because we are suffering. None of us really want to suffer in any way, do we? But is what we are going through really suffering or is it the persecution that God's Word tells us we will endure and that we should willingly endure to allow our faith to become stronger? Remember that James 1:2-3 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." God may be allowing this trial in our lives to test our faith and help us grow.

3. We argue and complain because we are unthankful. Sometimes we fail to see just how much God has really blessed us. We concentrate on the negatives instead of on the positives. We let the little petty stuff fill our minds and our spirit, instead of dwelling on what is truly important. We begin to look inward at ourselves, instead of looking upward toward God. When we look to ourselves or even look to others for happiness, we will always be disappointed. Only our faith and trust in God and His ability to supply us with everything we need, will keep us from being unthankful.

How can we learn to not complain?
The most important thing we can do in learning not to complain is to learn to be content. We, as Americans, tend to want more and more. We are not satisfied with what we have, but constantly strive to have bigger and better. Paul later tells us the key for being content. He says in Philippians in 4:12-13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret (emphasis mine) of being content in any and every situation, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The secret, Paul says, is getting our strength from Christ and nothing else. Being content by being in Jesus, as a child of God.

How can we learn to not argue?
By listening to others opinions and not thinking my way is the only way, and sometimes by just letting things go. Remember what Philippians 2:15 says “so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God, without fault. When we do choose to complain and argue, we are not being blameless and pure and we are surely not looking like children of God, without fault.

We can all make make an effort to stop arguing and complaning, but most likely it is something we will work on for a long time. We may fail and go back to our old ways in this area, but by putting our faith in God and realizing like Paul did that it is Christ who gives us strength, then with His help, we will stop the arguing and complaining. We will be making an effort to not continue in this sin. In order to "Shine Like Stars" we must also strive to imitate Christ.