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Painting/photo of Jerusalem Temple-Casual English Bible

Experiment: One thanks for each complaint

Stephen M. Miller
Star ship Enterprise
TEST FLIGHT. I’m thinking of going where this man has never gone before. Every time I take a step backward into a complaint, I’ll try taking one step forward into gratitude. At least this week. Photo by Rob Young / Wikimedia.

WHAT IF WHENEVER WE COMPLAIN, we try to think up one reason to be grateful?

Not that I’ve done it.

I’m just wondering if I can.

Let me give it a try. It can’t be much harder than putting money in a jar every time we cuss.

  • Complaint: I got word that a book I wrote is 32 printed pages short. It might have something to do with the fact that after I wrote it, editorial folk asked me to cut it to a specific word count. That word count was 32 printed pages too short.

Gratitude: I already wrote the stuff that we need to put back in the book. Score.

  • Complaint: I’m getting homelier and homelier.

Gratitude: Eventually I’ll get home. In the meantime, I’m still vertical and happy to be so.

  • Complaint: Humanity seems to have gone crazy with corruption, injustice, and terrorism.

Gratitude: The next Star Trek movie comes to town in 2016.

As I said, this is a test flight.

Go ahead, try one. Post it in a comment box, if you like.

Here’s some inspiration:

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I know, that sounds crazy cheery.

As in, “Hip, hip hooray. I broke my ankle on a Ferris wheel, dangling by a shoelace for three rotations.”

But why not, “I made CNN’s Breaking News”?

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About Stephen M. Miller

STEPHEN M. MILLER is an award winning bestselling Christian author of easy-reading books about the Bible and Christianity and author of the Casual English Bible® paraphrase. His books have sold over two million copies and include The Complete Guide to the Bible and Who’s and Where’s Where in the Bible.

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Comments

  1. Tom Fowler

    November 26, 2014 at 8:25 am

    Complaint: I am 64 year sold, my feet hurt and I don’t move as well as I use to.

    Gratitude: I am mobile and absorbing nourishment.

    Reply
  2. Erin C.

    November 26, 2014 at 8:52 am

    Hmmm…I am working the day before Thanksgiving when I have a long list of things I have to get done before Thanksgiving.

    I have a job that pays a decent wage, great benefits, and paid time off, plus a great supervisor and a great boss, and I met someone at this job who has turned out to be one of my best friends. I also get to use the student recreation center (a two-story gym with an indoor running track) for less than $10 a month, because I am KU staff. Holla!

    Reply
  3. Francie

    November 26, 2014 at 10:29 am

    My kiddos didn’t have school today. They don’t get along with each other very well, so I’m having to think up all kinds of activities to keep them busy. I decided we’d bake a cake. What a mess! Grumble, grumble…

    I don’t have to drive in the snow, and I soon get to eat cake. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Janelle

    November 26, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Complaint: The “midday” snow has already started here in Minneapolis.
    Gratitude: I ride the bus to work and I don’t have to travel for a Thanksgiving until Friday night.

    Reply
  5. Stephen M. Miller

    November 26, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Very good, guys. You got the hang of it right off the bat. Good to know that my readers are quick studies.

    Reply

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