No grumbling

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:9

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Observation: Serve others without complaint.

Application: God presents opportunities to serve him throughout my day in serving my children as well as others. Hospitality is not just hosting guests and throwing parties. Hospitality is giving myself to others in a gracious manner. It is anticipating needs and meeting them. It is helping others feel welcome and loved.

I should offer hospitality without complaint not because I want to or because I feel those to whom I offer hospitality deserve it, or even because I might get something in return, but because I am instructed to do so.

Internal grumbling counts as grumbling. I must stop myself when I begin to grumble even if it is inside my head. I need to stop myself and have a change of heart, remembering all Christ did (and does) for me and all my Father does for me every second. No grumbling allowed. I must serve, offering hospitality as I am instructed to do, without grumbling in any way.

Prayer: Oh, Heavenly Father, how you do so much for me and ask so very little! Yet I sometimes grumble when I am in the middle of something and my child asks for something so small. Thank you for this reminder that I am instructed to offer all sorts of hospitality without grumbling. Please guide me and continue strengthening me so that I will end those complaints from entering my thoughts. Remind me that I am serving you in serving others. And that I should do so in joy. Always.