Do you ever feel inadequate or maybe unable to serve our Lord? Do you ever worry, whine, or feel sorry for yourself? There was a time in my life when if I didn’t get what I wanted as fast as I wanted it, like wanting the front of the bus, the back of the church, or the middle of the road, and as a result I would have a tendency to whine, worry, and feel sorry for myself. I’d blame everyone and everything for my shortcomings, everyone but me.
But some 30 years ago a bestselling author friend of mine, Og Mandino was autographing his latest book at a book store. An elderly lady came up to him and gave him a piece of paper and said, “If ever you feel the walls of the world closing in on you and you have no place else to go, perhaps this little verse of mine will help you as your books have helped me. She then walked off. She did not sign the contents, but my friend shared it with me; and I, in turn, now share it with you.
It’s a little piece called “God Forgive Me When I Whine”and it goes like this:
Today upon a bus I saw a lovely girl with golden hair.
I envied her, she seemed so happy. I wished I were as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile.
I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who waited on me had such charm.
We talked a while, he seemed so glad. If I were late, would do not harm.
And as I left, he said to me, “Thank you, you’ve been so kind.
It’s nice to talk with folks like you. You see,” he said, “I’m blind.”
Later walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue.
She stood and watched the others play. She didn’t seem to know what to do.
I stopped a moment and said, “Why don’t you join the others, dear?”
She looked ahead without a word, and then I knew she could not hear.
With legs to take us where we go, and eyes to see each sunset’s glow.
And ears to hear what we should know,
Forgive us God when we whine.
We’re blessed indeed, this world is mine.
I don’t always understand the application and truth behind Romans 8:28 “God works all things for the good”, but I believe it. It reads: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”
We have a sovereign God who knows what’s best. So, if you ever find yourself worrying, feeling inadequate, thinking God can’t use you in His plan of salvation because you’re unable, remember not only this little poem, but remember the following names as well. Moses stuttered, David’s armor didn’t fit, John Mark was rejected by Paul, Jacob was a liar, David had an affair, Solomon was too rich, Abraham was too old, David too young, Peter was afraid of death, Lazarus was dead, Paul was a murderer and so was Moses, Jonah ran from God, Miriam was a gossip, Gideon and Thomas both doubted, Martha was a worry wart, Mary was lazy, Noah got drunk, Elijah got stressed out, but God worked through all of them and He will work through all of us.
Forgive us God when we whine. We’re blessed indeed, this world is mine.
LIFE LESSON: “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalms 121:1,2) We have a personal God who is involved in and cares about our daily lives. Ask Him to work through you and watch what Jesus does. We have not because we ask not.
Then remember to thank and praise Him for all He does.
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