Yesterday had two National Calendar Days that are diametrically opposed to each other in name but not in nature. Which one did you celebrate? You either celebrated National Whiner’s Day or National Thank You Note Day.
National Whiner’s Day was an attempt at reverse psychology. Kevin Zaborney, a pastor from Caro, Michigan, created this day in 1986 in an attempt to get people to realize how much they have to be thankful for.
“Many people are less fortunate than others. Some are struggling to put food on the table or a roof over their heads; some may not have family and friends. Another family may not have had one gift under the tree. Others may be fighting disease and illnesses, and some may have coped with all of these. You may want to whine about something (and today you are allowed), but remember to be thankful for each gift you did receive and all that you do have. (And help others when you can.)
“Still, if you’re mad about having to go back to work the day after Christmas, surly relatives that won’t go home for another few days, the cold weather or anything else under the sun … all will be excused.”1 So, this pastor gives permission to whine one day a year.
The other National Calendar Day revolves around the thank you note, something that is quickly disappearing into extinction. When was the last time you personally wrote a thank you note to someone? Perhaps we say, “I verbally thanked them, sent them a thank you text/email, or made a phone call.” That is certainly a commendable thing to do. But that handwritten thank you note cannot be allowed to go the way of the dodo bird. It means so much to the gift giver to receive that little note of appreciation.
Can we be thankful whiners? It doesn’t seem possible! And, with all due respect to Pastor Zaborney, I cannot see Biblical justification to whine any day – not even one. Am I saying that I never whine and am always thankful? Absolutely not. I have done my fair share of whining in my lifetime while failing miserably in the gratitude department. But that is my fault and personal disobedience to the Scripture. It can be blamed on no one else.
Philippians 2:14 commands, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” There you have it. God says, “No Whining!” If we do, we have a warning in 1 Corinthians 10:10. “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” Have you ever thought about the dangers of being a grumbler? We typically just think that it sours our disposition and doesn’t have much more affect than that. Scripture, though, tells us that it can lead to our destruction.
What about gratitude? Again, the Scriptures are clear. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Gratitude? Always. Grumbling? Never.
There’s never a good day to whine and there’s never a time where we can justify ingratitude. Easy devotional to write. Difficult truths to practice.
Going through the day today, let’s implement Ephesians 5:3-4 into our routine. “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; (4) Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking (which would include complaining), nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
1https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2017/12/26/dec-26-national-whiners-day/983293001/
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