Don’t we learn a lot just listening and observing. Seated at the same table as I was at a friend’s wedding reception were two women, in their late fifties dressed in their fancy hats, lace dresses and well-manicured nails. They were both certainly aging gracefully.
“Can you imagine your brother stopped buying me clothes more than 20 years ago”. One of the ladies lamented to her friend who I could now piece together was her sister-in-law. I suppose, seeing the groom rejoicing over his bride made her nostalgic of her earlier days when she was newly married.
“But do you recall what you told him when he bought you that dress from Italy?” The lady next to her gently asked her in what almost sounded rehearsed.
“You went round Italy and this is the best dress you could find to buy me?” Said the two women in unison – switching to another topic as if this was a conversation repeated over a number of years, perhaps at several weddings.
I could pick from their chat that her husband had once upon a time traveled abroad for a business trip. Being the first time he was doing so since they got married, his young family looked forward to his return.More so for the gifts he had brought them. And you guessed right on what transpired after his wife’s lack of gratitude ,he never again bought her any dress!
If you gave someone a gift and instead of appreciating it, they offer their opinion on what would have been better like Mrs. Flashy but Ungrateful, would you be encouraged to ever buy them another in the future?
The Children of Israel had experienced great victories. They had seen God deliver them from the hand of Pharaoh in Egypt. The greatest miracle was seeing the waters of the Red Sea part and their enemies who were in hot pursuit drown in the sea. God had also fed them with manna from heaven, yet they grumbled against Him and which was greatly displeasing.
Numbers 21:4-6 However as they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.”
The Israelites forgot all that God had done for them. Had they instead chosen to count their blessings, they would have been surprised by what God had done.For them to be able to trust Him more for what they could not see.
What if you are the one receiving the murmurs like God was? Perhaps your child is not thankful for something you have gone out of your way to provide for them. Or you have extended a friend a helping hand and instead they seem to have expected you to do so anyway.
The murmuring of the Israelites displeased God so much so that he sent fiery serpents among them which bit them and many of them died. Ingratitude may feel like a slap in the face and we might be tempted to keep off anyone that fails to appreciate any act of kindness from us. However, we are admonished in Galatians 6:9 that we should not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Often times, grumbling shows the condition of one’s heart. It could be that there are other matters they need to deal with in their closet and with God for out of the abundance of one’s heart the mouth speaks. We can therefore offer to support them in prayer.
Perhaps it is also a moment for us to reflect on our motives when extending that hand to someone. Are we doing so expecting something in return?
In the book of Luke 6:32- 34 we are told …But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
Giving is more of a command that Jesus gave us. He however did not dictate to us the criteria to use in applying this discipline of our faith. We have been admonished to carry each other’s burdens for in doing so we fulfil the law of Christ.
May be the reason that relative you haven’t heard from is doing laps on your mind is a gentle nudge by the Holy Spirit to pass by their house just to say hello. Perhaps the Lord needs you to practically meet the needs of that family in your neighborhood. He may impress on you to do shopping and have it dropped at their door step. They need not know you are the one that has done so and that way they will keep looking to Jesus to meet their needs and not to you. Perhaps God needs you to pick up your phone and give that former colleague a call and while you speak, they disclose a health battle their loved one is going through.
He will also be refreshed, he that refreshes others. As we give and it will be given to us: a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Remember that with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
May we therefore be encouraged to give without expecting anything in return for it is the Lord who will fully repay.
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