WHEN this passage in chapter 5 of the Book of James came up in my list of daily Bible readings, I immediately thought of our two teenage daughters. They had begun grumbling against each other at breakfast.

"Don't make so much noise when you eat!"

"Well, don't take a drink while you're still chewing! You know I can't stand that!"

They went on criticizing each other until they finally left for school. Surely this verse was meant for them! I decided to read it to them that night at supper.

As I read it a second time, though, I realized this passage had much to say to me. My husband Keith and I had been laying a new floor in our living area/kitchen. We had never done anything like this before, and the project was taking far longer than we had planned. He wanted to work late; I wanted to start early. Our patience with the floor and with each other had worn thin. I had been grumbling, and I felt the Judge was standing at my door. Then and there I prayed for forgiveness. Then I went to find Keith. Rather than grumble in anger and frustration, I wanted to talk with him in love and care.

Mary van Rheenen (Gelderland, The Netherlands)

Prayer
Dear Creator God, help us resist the temptation to grumble. Teach us to speak to each other in love, especially when we disagree. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer Focus
Someone who irritates me