“Before You Grumble” by Reva Lachica Moore
(Here are my “special” children under Adopt a Minister International)
I heard this in a sermon many years ago: “Whenever you feel like complaining for not having shoes, think about someone who doesn’t have feet.”
Back in 2002, I shared my life story with around 100 women at a Women’s Ministry meeting in Texas. I got myself ready just in case I’d still cry while relating it. It had been four years since the very sad happening in my life. After my emotional tale, someone in the audience approached me and said, “When I saw the Kleenex in your hand, I knew that you’ll have a sad story to tell.”
I could tell there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience. I didn’t want to end on a sad note, so I talked about my upcoming marriage (to JR Moore). The audience’ sad faces were quickly transformed into happy smiles.
While at the cafeteria thirty minutes later, many women came to thank me. A woman in her 50’s, right arm in a cast, joined me at my table. She then related her story to me. Another woman in her early 30’s joined us and told her sad tale also. I was stunned at what I heard. I thought I had a sad story; theirs were worse. I could count my blessings for my experience paled out in comparison to what these ladies went through. “You should share your stories,” I told them both. I also asked if I could share their stories with you.
Maria, the lady in a cast, came from Greece. She got married while in her teens. Her husband was an alcoholic who beat her almost every day. She wanted to leave him but became pregnant with twins. They were not normal babies; they were Siamese twins. Besides going through a very difficult pregnancy and delivery, coming home with the twins was very tough for Maria. She didn’t have any money. She worked to provide for herself and her babies. But the twins lived only a few months. Devastated and horrified by her babies’ death, she left her husband. While trying to board the train, she missed her step, and her coat got caught in the train’s door. She was dragged many feet before she was rescued. I felt badly for Maria as she related her story.
“So, what happened to your arm?” I asked.
“Oh, I was trying to board the train in Chicago not long ago and didn’t make it inside again. I fell and broke my arm.”
This may sound funny, but I saw a very kind woman who had nothing but bad luck in her life. But she said that she counts her blessings, for today she’s married again and lives a wonderful life in America.
Another story:
Connie married her high school sweetheart while in her teens and life was wonderful. But not for long, for both she and her husband were without jobs when their daughter was born. Her husband stayed drunk almost every day while she found odd jobs to bring food home. Many times, they were evicted from their apartment. One day Connie could not take her husband’s irresponsible attitude anymore. She left for California and planned on not coming home. She planned on getting a divorce. But a phone call came one day, which changed her plan. Her husband was thrown off a horse and was in intensive care. Feeling guilty about her plans, she flew home to Texas and took care of her husband.
“I practically lived in the hospital for six months taking care of him.” Connie said. She decided not to leave him. He got well and went home. But life got even worse. Her husband’s drinking resumed. Eventually, Connie left and raised her daughter by herself.
Whenever I feel like grumbling, I’m reminded of the many people out there who have it worse. I think of those whose sufferings are unending due to illness, divorce, financial problems, and the like. Every day, we hear about people dealing with tragic incidents and also those living in extreme poverty all over the world. Just to name a few: A young girl was abducted at a park where she played with her brother. The mother was only a few feet away when it happened.
Here is Retchie Ubod, our “barefoot” layman and my Prayer Partner. Retchie never complains about anything. Instead, Retchie sends me a message every day telling me he has prayed for me and my family. Then he asks for names of those who need prayers. You who are reading this… are probably one of those whom Retchie prays for every day.
Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.