Today has been a very whiny day in the Gray household. And it’s only 3:00.

My littlest one spent the morning walking around the house moaning, whining, fussing and crying. There was nothing I could do to stop her. Not holding her. Not getting out toys. Not letting her brush her teeth (which usually works for some reason). She was just crabby and fussy, and grunt-whining for everything and then not wanting the thing she’d just asked for.

So we left the house. Getting out always helps us. Target would make everyone feel better, right? Besides, we needed milk and eggs.

Then as our time was coming to an end in Target, my four year old starts whining. She was upset we weren’t buying anything for her. I had a calm chat with her about how we don’t always get a toy or treat every time we go shopping. I explained there were lots of things in the store I really wanted to take home, but I couldn’t because they were not things we needed. We needed food and a few other items for the house.

I was so proud of my mommy skills with our little chat.

But it didn’t stop the whining.

Then the tears came.

She thought we could never get anything fun from Target ever again.

She whined and cried until we got home.

On the ride home I was thinking about my girls and their whining. I wondered if that’s how I sound to God…But I NEED a house with a backyard! WHY can’t I get more sleep? Don’t you see how good I’ve been? I deserve a reward!  How many times do I whine for something like my little Lana did this morning? Then God gives me what I asked for, but I’m still not happy? Or when God doesn’t answer me or give me what I want, how often do I blow it out of proportion like Mariah did in Target today? I think because I didn’t get my answer to prayer, he’ll never answer me ever again or that he’s punishing me.

He listens to all my complaining and grumbling and he doesn’t get angry or shout at me. He’s patient with me even when I totally deserve a “time out”. And he’s not just listening to MY whining…he has the whole world to listen to. OH MAN! I only have two girls whining at me and I think I’m going to die.

So while I’ve been working for awhile to complain less, this put a whole new perspective on things for me. Not only do I need to continue to be grateful and thankful for all the blessings in my life, I need to strive to become more like the Lord when it comes to handling my girls’ whiny attitudes. Patience, understanding and more patience. I need to realize it takes time for them to learn to be grateful and have a happy heart. I mean if I’m still working on it, of course they’re still learning. I sure hope I can help them realize how blessed they are and how much God has given them while they’re still young. It sure did take me a long time to figure it out.