A Jesus Moment In A Restaurant

I was sitting in my booth and I overheard a conversation between two women. They have not seen each other in about six months and decided to meet up in the desert to have a "girls weekend." They sat down and began updating each other on everything that has been going on. As I listened in I realized that updating each other on life really means complaining about everything. Here is what I mean...

One women began talking about how her husband continually screws everything up around the house. She joked that he's a horrible husband and she she only stays with him because he brings home a lot of money which she can spend when she goes shopping with her friend. The other women jumped in with annoying habits that her co-worker has. They seemed to have found common ground about work because they hated what they did, hated the people they worked with because they were idiots, and hated the paycheck they received from it. They then started to complain about how Obama has screwed up the economy and how their 401k has taken a hit, and on and on and on they went.

I realized that I spent my whole lunch break listening in on their conversation and they complained the whole time. Then I had my Jesus moment. Ephesians 4:9 popped into my head - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

I began to reflect on my life and realized that I too, can complain with the best of them. I have tried to take this week and be thankful for what the Lord has provided for me and my wife. We both have jobs, a paycheck, good health and friends. Is everything perfect? Of course not! But I have seriously tried not to be apart of conversations where people complain about other people. Having conversations that build people and benefit others who listen in is a difficult task. But, it is a necessary one. And for the times I find myself wanting to complain about someone, I have found that I better having actually talked to the person who frustrates me. This seems to talk care of the issue and we both benefit.

Complaining is a very easy thing to slide into. I wonder what goes through the mind of non-Christians when they know we're supposed to love our neighbor but all they hear us talk about is how inept they are and how we can't stand them.