I woke up yesterday morning to another rainy day. I’ve worn rain boots all week. The fields have been saturated with rain puddles, mud,…and other cattle excrements. I have a blister on my heel, and truth be told, I’m simply ready to get back into my cowboy boots. I’m tired of the sludge, annoyed that everything is always wet, and I’m sweating when I go outside. IT’S FEBRUARY for crying out loud! This is supposed to be our time of respite from mosquitoes and flies! Why does it have to be warm outside?

It just so happens that I’m doing all this complaining at the same time I start reading Exodus 15 & 16.

I read the whole Bible every year, and every year, without fail, I am quick to criticize the Israelites for their constant complaining. God JUST took them out of slavery, parted the Red Sea for them to cross, took out their enemies, and the Israelites sing praises to God. And then the complaining starts (and continues throughout Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

“The water is too bitter”, so God sweetens it.

“We want bread!” God makes it rain bread everyday.

“Where’s the meat?!” God starts providing meat every night.

“Give us water!” God pours water from a rock.

They are in the very presence of God, providing them with whatever they demand. Every time I read it I think, “They’re so ungrateful! Don’t they see what God is doing for them?”

But then I have days like yesterday and realize that I would most likely be the first whiner of the bunch. I should be grateful for this rain and warm weather. Have I already forgotten how bad this past summer was?

It was one of the worst droughts in our area to date. We prayed for rain, even a drizzle. The heat wave cooked the grass and there was nothing for our starving cows to graze on. The ponds dried up and water was scarce.

God is providing us with the rain we desperately needed, and here I am complaining about mud. God is providing us with warm weather that will help the grass continue to grow for our cows to eat…,and here I am complaining about mosquitoes and flies.

I thank God that the story of the wilderness becomes my reminder to focus on the blessings I have been given and to quit the bellyaching.

Songs for Times Such as These:

• “Honey in the Rock” by Brook Ligertwood & Brandon Lake
• “Egypt” by Cory Asbury
• “Beautiful Day” by Jamie Grace

Scripture for Times Such as These:

• Philippians 2:14
• Proverbs 27:15-16
• Ephesians 5:20