I often read to my five-year-old out of a devotion book for Toddlers called “Tiny Talks”. Brehane love to follow Theo, Amy, Kim, and Chip and the gang through Tiny Town and find out how they feel about God.

One of the stories we enjoy reading is about Luiz. In this story Luiz gets upset because it was rainy and muddy outside and he could not go swimming with Chip. He grumbled and complained so much that his mother finally told him that there was plenty he could do around the house. He had his toys, books, games, things to draw and color with and more; and if he really wanted to be useful, she told him he could help her with the chores.

Luiz’s mother looked at her son and told him that God wants him to be happy and strong. She explained to him that is is up to us to decide everyday to either be a shiner or a whiner.

Every time I read that story I ask Brehane if he is a shiner or whiner and then I tell him about all the ways he whines….

• Mommy AJ won’t let me play the game
• Mommy I want it now
• Mommy why can’t I watch now.
• Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!

It really woke him up. We wrote the phrase “Are your a Shiner or Whiner” on our white board once and kept it up for about 2 months and we read it everyday. Now when he hears it as he is about to throw a fit it really brings him back to reality.

Nehemiah 8: 9-12 was the bible passage the the book had me read to him. The memory verse was Nehemiah 8:10.

“And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who
taught the people said to all of them, This day is holy to the Lord your God; mourn not nor weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the Law.Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, Be still, for the day is holy. And do not be grieved and sad. And all the people went their way to eat, drink, send portions, and make great rejoicing, for they had understood the words that were declared to them.”

As I think about the ministry that God had placed in my path, I think about the many whiny excuses I receive from people who refuse to understand the connect mind, body, and spirit.

• I just can’t do that
• That will be to hard for me
• What limit my meat? But my cholesterol is not that high!
• I am not a water drinker but I will drink a 6 pack of coke a day. Doesn’t that count for water?
• I just have to have bleach. What else will I disinfect with?
• God said we could eat whatever we want
• I am grown and can do whatever I want to.

Oh and the list goes on. I have even used a few of them myself. Please don’t assume I have it all together remember I am the one who has sabotaged her life with too much weight and now I am trying to get it back together. But it’s hard….OOPs there goes another excuse.

I don’t think I can do this alone…..aww man did I do it again!

Are you getting the picture?

As adults we think we have a right to say and do whatever we want when it comes to what we eat and live. Yet many of us are striving to get that spirit in order.

Such an imbalance and a selfish way of being.

You were purchased at a high cost and not just your spirit, but every part of you….THE COMPLETE YOU!

The people in Nehemiah mourned after the Law had been read to them. I wondered why because the passage never quite made it plain. But then again it did.

When you read all of Nehemiah 8 you see that the people asked Ezra to read the book of the Law. As he read it, it would appear that they began to become convicted and guilty of their sin. They mourned and shed tears at the reading of the Law because understanding had been imparted to them by Ezra.

Don’t you know that once the Word has been made alive and revelations come it brings conviction where we are wrong?

As I think daily about where I am I wonder why? I really at times do not want to go forward with this call. It is not an easy one and yet because of my love for the people God has placed in path, I continue to impart the message of Biblical health and natural way of living.

As you think about your life; what you eat, what you drink, how you live, and why, think about what you whine about when it comes to changing some of those ways so that your body get stronger and not weaker. Food really is powerful and leads to the sins of greed and gluttony if we are not careful.

It’s a hard pill to swallow. I know because I swallow it almost daily.

I did inform you that I am not perfect and struggle too, didn’t I?

I challenge you today to stop the whining and complaining about what needs to be changed. Instead know that God wants you to have joy. He is the strength you need to make it through. Leave you where it belongs - behind God’s Glory!

Are You a Shiner or a Whiner?