A certain grandmother had fourteen grandchildren to buy Christmas presents for.  She had a very modest budget but tried hard to buy meaningful gifts that aligned with each child’s interests.  Many gifts had to be sent across the miles, but a few were able to be given in person.  The day came for the grandparents to deliver the small gifts to one of the families who live nearby.  The grandmother knew her gifts were small but hoped the two children would enjoy them.  The two elementary-aged granddaughters, Kara and Lyka (not their real names), were pleased that they got to open presents and Grandma and Grandpa were pleased to be able to watch the girls open them.  The older granddaughter, Kara, opened hers and immediately flipped through the craft book finding some projects that she wanted to make.  Phew!  That was a score.  Then the younger granddaughter, Lyka, opened her small gift.  With a sweet smile, she declared, “Oh, another hamster!”  She quickly ran upstairs and got two other stuffed hamsters.  Grandma’s heart sank when she realized that the girls already had not one, but two stuffed hamsters exactly like the new one.  Even the same brand!  But the little girl wasn’t a bit fazed by getting another.  To the grandmother’s relief, she played with all three declaring that now she had triplets.  She delightedly lined them up, made them play wrestle each other, compared them, and with her patient Dad’s help, made them a little sleeping bag that accommodated all three. Grandma marveled that the little girl was content with a Christmas present that was not only very small but was something she already had.  Her acceptance allowed her to be content and enjoy what she had.  When it was time for the grandmother and grandfather to go home, the little family went to the door with them.  As the grandparents stepped out into the cold, a happy little voice sent them on their way.  “You can never have too many hammies!”  What could have been a disaster was turned into a funny, enjoyable time by a little girl who chose to be happy with what she was given.  I want to be like Lyka!

That experience taught me that attitude is everything.  And we can choose our attitude.  BTW, our choice of attitude has little to do with our circumstances.  We all know folks who are never happy with what’s happening.  They see the down side of things.  The weather is too hot or too cold.  Their spouse didn’t do something they should have done or did something they shouldn’t have.  Their friend disappointed them.  Their health isn’t very good.  All this in spite of their living in a time and place where their needs are met and they have many advantages others only dream of.  We all also know folks who always find something to be happy about.  They notice the good and delight in appreciating even the little things.  They may not have good health, much money, or even a loving family.  Yet they find something to be grateful for and uplift those around them.

We get to choose happiness no matter what.  We can thank God for the beautiful blessings he lavishes on us.  And we can thank God for the difficulties he allows.  With a light heart or a heavy heart, we can overflow with praise to God for his goodness and experience happiness.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace. . .”  Philippians 4:4,6-7

This is what I’m learning to pray when things are rough:  “I don’t like this.  But I accept this because you, Lord, allowed it.  I thank you that you know about this and are with me in it every step.  I’m looking forward to the good you will bring for me and others because of this.  I’m so glad you will get glory through this.  I thank you for _______.”  I fill in the blank with something no matter how small that I’m grateful for in this otherwise hard situation.

“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.”  Philippians 3:1  Written by Paul who experienced many hardships yet kept thanking and trusting God and found happiness. 

Complaining is faulting God.  We’re declaring that we have judged God and found him lacking.  He isn’t taking good care of us.  He’s depriving us.  He doesn’t care.

“There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.  “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned.  . . . he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.”  Exodus 16:2-3,8

Thanking him is declaring that he is worthy and that he is good.  Thankfulness gives us peace, and makes us happy.  It pushes out grumbling and fear. It’s being obedient.

 “. . .  obeying God with deep reverence and fear.  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing. . . “  Philippians 2:13-14

Thanking him in spite of hard circumstances proves our trust and our high opinion of him.  It’s walking by faith, not by sight.  We often find out later that our trial didn’t last continually without a break.  There was a respite around the corner where our burden was lightened.  (Even in the event of serious illness, death will bring a complete deliverance from pain of all kinds.). We can be grateful that pain and loss aren’t our destiny, it’s a temporary condition that God has promised to remedy. When we get to the other side, we’ll be glad we held on to our Savior’s hand and didn’t push it away by complaining against him.

 “And always be thankful. Sing . . . to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:15-17

Being thankful shows our faith and makes us happy in God.  Complaining shows we aren’t trusting God and makes us miserable.

I’ve been playing a game with myself lately.  Every time I’m tempted to complain, I try to think of something to be grateful for instead.  These are silly, minor examples, but small steps in the right direction:

Our dogs are muddy messes and need to be cleaned up when they come in (many times a day!).  I can complain (usually) or I can be thankful that we have a place where they can safely be outside to run and dig and tire themselves out (learning this one).

I can inwardly complain while cleaning up after meals or I can be deeply grateful for our food, a stove to cook on, and windows with a woodsy view.

I can complain about my aches and pains and fear for the future or I can praise God for a spouse who helps me, a warm bed at the end of the day, people who love me in spite of my limitations, and a God who is gentle with old people.

For Further reading:  Our daughter, H, brought this adorable book to our attention.
“The Pig of Happiness” by Edward Monkton. (https://www.amazon.com/Pig-Happiness-Edward-Monkton/dp/0007177984)
“I know”, thought the pig. “I shall become an EXTRAORDINARY pig. I shall see the BEST in EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. I shall become THE PIG of HAPPINESS!” A charmingly illustrated allegory about a pig who got extremely happy and decided to spread joy after years of wallowing! The Pig of Happiness is a story about the metamorphosis of a grumbling farmyard animal into a beautiful smiling pig, who spread happiness to all his farmyard friends.