Years ago, I was traveling with co-workers across the U.S., sleeping in our bunk beds on a moving bus, when all of a sudden, Tom, the bus driver, starting yelling at the top of his lungs. It was the middle of the night. What was he yelling? FIRE! FIRE! Get off the bus now! So we all scrambled off and made it safely to the roadside, as we watched Tom extinguish the engine fire in the rear of the bus.

What came next was shocking to me...we were filled with complaints! We were thinking: we are now sleep deprived, the bus was now broken, I better get extra pay for this, our boss should have bought a better bus, etc. We were filled with complaints when we should have been thankful we were alive!

In today’s 1st reading, we are told that the traveling Israelites were also complaining to Moses in the desert, especially in regards to the food and water supply, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!”

Why do we complain? Quite simply, we are so often spoiled, self-centered, and lacking gratitude.

My dear friends, every day is an opportunity to give thanks instead of complaining. Thanks such as the fact that we are breathing; thanks for the nourishment we do have when some people only eat a scoop of rice a day; thanks for each other when some people are often left alone; and most importantly thanks for Jesus, for he has saved us from our sins and promises us life forever!

What are you complaining about lately? Turn to the Lord and be grateful!

What have I been complaining about lately?

What are the good things in my life that God is spoiling me with right now?

How have I taken the good blessings in my life and rejected them by not being thankful?

"Help me be thankful."

"Every good gift comes from you."

​"Thank you, Lord."

Write down 5 blessings you have received today and lift them up to the Lord in gratitude!