Stop the Squeak

Read: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 45:7; 1 Corinthians 10:10-12

"Hey, Amy! Don’t forget to get the wastebasket from my room,” said Greyson as he opened the door to go out.

Amy scowled at him. “I hate taking out the trash.” She turned to her mother. “Greyson always gets the easy stuff to do while I have to tramp around the house collecting smelly old garbage!”

“You chose that job for this month,” Mom reminded her. “You said you were tired of dusting and folding laundry and that Greyson always got the easy jobs—like emptying the trash.” Amy muttered to herself as she left to start collecting wastebaskets.

A little later, the back door squeaked loudly as Greyson pushed it open and came back in.

“That squeaky door is driving me crazy!” Amy said crossly. “Quit going in and out, Greyson.”

Her brother grinned and turned back toward the door. “I think I left something outside. I’ll be back in a minute.” He swung the door back and forth.

“Mom, make him stop!” Amy whined, covering her ears.

“Enough, Greyson,” said Mom. “Quit teasing.”

Just then Dad opened the squeaky door. “I guess it’s about time for me to oil these hinges,” he said. “They’re complaining pretty loudly.” He let the door squeak shut behind him as he walked in. “Remember the Bible verses we read for devotions last night—the ones about the Israelites after they left Egypt? They complained a lot—just like this screen door. It needs oil, and I think they needed to apply oil to their lives by remembering God was with them and promised to take care of them. Perhaps that would be what the Bible calls the oil of joy.”

“Yeah. Some people around here need some of that oil too,” said Greyson, giving his sister a grin.

Amy sighed. “I guess I have been pretty squeaky lately.”

“Well, you can apply oil to that squeak by remembering the joy you have in Jesus,” said Dad. “He saved us from sin so we could be filled with the joy of knowing Him for all eternity. We can experience that joy by remembering He loves us and is always with us—even when things don’t go our way.”

Amy straightened up. “Okay…sorry for complaining. Now, who has trash they’d like me to get rid of?”

–Maria I. Sellers

How about you? Do you complain a lot? Are you constantly telling those around you about every little thing that isn’t exactly the way you’d like it? If so, you need to apply some oil of joy to your life. Remember how much Jesus loves you and all that He has done for you. Instead of complaining, praise Him and trust Him to help you learn to be content with what He’s given you.

Today's Key Verse: Do everything without complaining or arguing. (ERV) Philippians 2:14

Today's Key Thought: Don’t complain