I hear one four letter word used quite often in conversations today. The word is not what you are thinking, the four letter word is hate. I heard a person say yesterday that he “hated” it when leaves begin to fall. I hear people say they hate driving certain roads and cities because of traffic. People say they hate buying groceries because of the crowded stores. People say they hate other people because they don’t do or see things the same way they do. How many times do you use the word hate to describe one of life’s necessary actions in your life? I grew up not liking yard work, but now it is something I have grown to endure joyfully. It is still WORK, but I’ve found things to do to make it more enjoyable. The Bible warns us about grumbling and complaining about little things in our lives. (Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.) We can talk ourselves into things and out of things. You can talk yourself into despising something you need to do, or you can have a good attitude and speak good words about it and make it a lot more pleasant. Try finding a new approach to the things that aggravate you. Try listening to music on your journey through those crowded roads and slow traffic. Try letting someone who has just a few things in front of you in those grocery lines. Plan something you want to do while you are cutting grass or raking leaves. When you change the way you describe what you are doing from hating to being thankful you are still able to do them, you will change your whole life. It will still be slow in traffic, work in the yard, and crowded in grocery lines, but, you will enjoy the journey instead of arriving bitter and mad. Be thankful for all the small things you can still do. Pastor Don