As I was preparing to mow the grass this afternoon, I was grumbling. I wasn’t grumbling because I had to mow. Truth be told, most of the time I enjoy mowing. I was a little grumbly because it seems that when I have time to mow, I can never just hop on the mower and mow.

First, I had to drive to town to get gasoline. That task done, I had to check the oil. My husband had already reminded me to check the oil … at least twice. I have been mowing since I was 12, yet he always reminds me to check the oil. Then, I noticed a tire was low. So, I turned on the air compressor. While the air compressor hummed away, I crawled around the mower putting air in the tires.

What was that? My husband is yelling something to me? Can’t he hear the air compressor humming away? Oh well, he can come over here if he needs to tell me something. There he is again! Yelling for me. I bet he is going to ask if I checked the oil. And again!? Seriously. How am I supposed to get anything done? I turned off the air compressor so I could see what was so urgent.

Oh.

It wasn’t my husband.

It was a goat. She thought that since I was in the shed, it must be feeding time.

All my mumbling and grumbling wasn’t even warranted.

While mowing, I thought of the scripture:

 “²² A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

 How many times do I grumble about something that isn’t warranted? Even if it is warranted, what good does grumbling do? Wouldn’t it be nice to hear less grumbling and experience more cheer? Have I ever crushed someone’s spirit or good mood with my grumbling? Yes, unfortunately, I am sure I have.

I’d rather have a cheerful heart than dried up bones, wouldn’t you?

~Marla