What Whining Sounds Like
http://www.edjhorton.com
By: Ed Horton

To Read:

Jonah 4:5-9

Story: 

The Johnston family van was parked in front of the Community Center. Mr. Johnston opened the door for his daughter when she came running out of the green building with a bunch of other girls. “How was cheerleading practice, Deanna?”

“It was terrific, Daddy, except for one thing.” Deanna paused, hopping in and fastening her seatbelt. “My friend Sara always wants to go first when it’s time to choose a sticker to wear on our uniform. She did not get her way today and boy did she complain loud. She’s a big whiner!”

“Have you looked in the mirror lately?” asked her brother Josiah, without taking his eyes off the electronic game he was playing.

Deanna ignored him. Her father started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.

“What do you do when Sara complains?” asked Mrs. Johnston.

“Oh, I ignore her and pretend she’s not there,” Deanna said. “Hey, where are we going to dinner?”

Josiah spoke up, “I vote for fast-food.”

“No,” said Mrs. Johnston. “We’re going to a restaurant where we can sit down and be served. Your father and I have decided on Bert’s Place.”

“Again!” Deanna said. “It seems like we always go there. What about Marie’s? It’s my favorite eating place.”

Mother turned around to face her daughter. “We were there just a few weeks ago. Maybe another time, Honey.”

Deanna’s voice took on a high-pitched squeak as she said, “But, Mom, I love their spaghetti. Can we please go there?”

Her father interrupted her complaining. “You heard what your mom said. Besides, it’s further away and more expensive.”

Crossing her arms, Deanna sighed loudly before continuing, “How come I never get my way? Why don’t you listen to me?” Deanna waited for an answer.

In the front seat, Mr. and Mrs. Johnston glanced at each other and remained silent.

“Well,” Deanna demanded more loudly, “can we go to Marie’s tonight?”

Silence.

Now she was really mad. “Why are you ignoring me? Why don’t you answer?” Slowly, Deanna began to see the truth. Oh no, I sound just like Sara! My parents are treating me like I treated Sara when she complained. “I’m sorry about whining,” Deanna said to her family. “I’ll ask Jesus to help me have a better attitude when things don’t go my way.”

Practical Application:

Do you ever whine and complain when you don’t get your own way? If you do, you should stop and listen to yourself. Whining is not a pretty sound! It’s really important to have a good attitude and ask Jesus to help you when things don’t go the way you want.

Key Verse:

Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14

Key