Phil 2:12-17

Therefore my dear friends as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act accordingly to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and deprave genration, in which you shine like stars in the universe- as you hold out the word of life- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So that you too should be glad and rejoice with me. 

Wow. If i could only follow those words exactly every single day. Life would be SO much easier. So much richer.... I struggle... and really try hard but always fall. Thats why the Lord has so much grace on us.. even when we try to have good intentions... they sometime slip up and we are right back asking him for grace and mercy. To be able to see the big picture is critical and to always press on toward the goal is even harder. Sometimes the small goals of what are in front of us blind us from the large goals- the important finish line that God has called us to. Not complaining is HUGE. Sometimes when you are around people who are always griping about something you just follow in and there are no immediate consequences so you feel like it is okay... people hear those complaints and see you differently.. they start to notice the negative unappreciative attitude.... which is not too attractive.....