Doing Everything Without Complaining

Dear friends,

‘Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be innocent and without any wrong. You will be God’s children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you, among whom you shine like stars in the dark world.’ – Philippians 2:14-15

I want to share a real life reminder of the importance of these verses, and an example of how to apply them in everyday life ! 

This autumn, we were back in England visiting my daughter and her family. While there, I bought a pair of trousers from the supermarket in the small town where she lives. I was careful to ask for the receipt, just in case I needed to return them. Well, I did need to return them. The following morning, when I finally had a chance to try them on, I discovered that although they fitted well at the waist, they wrinkled in a most bizarre manner all the way down my legs!

I immediately got out my handbag and searched every pocket for the receipt (thankfully only three pockets in this bag), but to no avail. There was no sign of the receipt, nor in the other two shopping bags I’d taken with me.

Driving over to my daughter’s house (we were staying with her husband’s aunt), we stopped at the supermarket and I explained my predicament to the lady at the customer service desk. Because I was pressed for time, I was reluctant to go off and search for something to buy in order to do an exchange, so this kind soul gave me my money back, despite it not being their usual policy.

Later in the day I was at the laundromat outside the same supermarket when my bank card decided not to cooperate. I’d already done several loads, but couldn’t start the last one. A very large African man appeared at my side and tried to help, but he couldn’t get the machine to work either. I left the machine for a moment to gather up my bags which were lying in front of another machine (which was working), and when I returned, I found that he’d been successful,  the machine was already rolling and he had actually paid for me. What kindness!

I didn’t have the exact money to repay what I owed him, so I went into the store and found the same lovely lady I’d met earlier on, still at the customer service desk. As she changed my £20 note for 5 and 10 pound notes and coins, I found myself starting to say: “Oh dear, I am not having a good day” but then I checked myself. “No, actually I am having a wonderful day, first you helped me this morning and now a perfect stranger has helped me again, I am having an amazing day…”

As you might imagine, I was really grateful for them both. Returning the money to my benefactor at the laundrette, I thanked him again, asking God to bless him. His response was simple and unassuming: “We are here to help one another.” Amen to that! Let’s not forget it either. We ARE here to help one another, not just to be helped.

Now you might be excused for thinking that it’s fine when things work out well, when helpers are on hand, but what if there isn’t a kind receptionist or generous bystander when you really need one? 

By not complaining and grumbling, even when faced with difficulty or facing someone who is “crooked and mean”, God still works, not only in our hearts, but also in the heart and mind of the “mean” person. Maybe we don’t see it immediately, but when we respond in a Godly and gracious way, we are planting seeds of Christ’s love in their lives. As we “shine like stars in this dark world”, the light of Christ will cause the seed of God’s Word to germinate. 

We are called to BE like Jesus for people who are lost and in darkness. We must DO the gospel both in what we say and HOW we say it, that by our deeds we demonstrate the same grace that we have been given. 

So, let’s not grumble, whatever comes our way, good or bad. Instead let’s remember that EVERY trial and tribulation we experience can provide an opportunity for our faith in God to grow stronger, just as trees develop deeper roots in areas that are buffeted by strong winds. As Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18:

‘See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’

With love in him,

Sarah