Day Fifteen: The Cost of Grumbling (Genesis 31)

"But Jacob soon learned that Laban's sons were grumbling about him.

'Jacob has robbed our father of everything!' they said.
'He has gained all his wealth at our father's expense.'

And Jacob began to notice a change in Laban's attitude toward him.

Genesis 31:1-2, NLT
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It's funny how one obscure part of scripture can capture all of my attention.

Out of this whole story, the verses above seemed to hover off the screen of my phone.

"Laban's sons were grumbling..."
"And Jacob began to notice a change in Laban's attitude toward him."

Laban's sons' grumbling about Jacob's unusual (and fishy) favor apparently rubbed off on Laban, to the extent of changing the way He felt about Jacob.

I think of all "harmless" grumbling I've done over the years.
Offended by a family member.
Frustrated with an employer.
Caught off guard by a routine change.

Could my grumbling have affected someone else's attitude toward a person or event?

To answer that, God reminded me of a recent situation where I was on the receiving end of some grumbling...

A friend of mine (we'll call her "Friend A") was offended by a conflict that had taken place with a mutual friend (we'll call her Friend B).

Now. Prior to this I had no problems with Friend A or Friend B. All was well in the friendship realm. That was until Friend A expressed her frustrations about Friend B and the situation that had ensued.

Now, mind you, her frustrations were merited. But can I be honest? After hearing her grumblings toward Friend B, I had a very difficult time moving past my new perception of her. Everything I observed or heard about Friend B now came through a now-skewed perception.

This realization begged the question: What am I grumbling about now that may be affecting the attitudes and perceptions of those around me?

Is it a person?
A group of persons?
An event that took place?
A change I don't agree with?

As a child of God my job is to carry His love and light wherever I go.
I don't have the right to poison the attitudes of my friends, family, and those under my leadership with my personal complaints and grumblings.

And that's a lot to dwell on.

Dwelling in Him,