As I have mentioned before I participate in a blog carnival where all of the participants blog about one word at a time. This time around the word is Gratitude.
It is no coincidence that this is the word and next week is Thanksgiving in the United States. It is this time of year when we start to think of all of those things that we are thankful for. I am thankful and grateful for many things, family, parish, health, etc but I would like to focus on another side of Gratitude.
Last week the news was all a flutter about a cruise ship that had gone dead in the water due to an engine fire and the ship had to be towed back into port. After the ship docked we started to hear the stories of how bad it was, no flush toilets, no ice for the drinks, and Spam and Pop Tarts to eat because the food spoiled when they lost refrigeration. I posted on my Facebook wall that these people need to shut up and stop whining. Man did I take some heat for that.
Oh the poor people who had paid for a cruise and taken time off to take the cruise. Well I do feel bad that their vacation was different then they thought it was going to be, but they were still on a cruise! They had food and a place to lay their heads, and the entire cost of the cruise plus travel was reimbursed and they get a free cruise in the future.
Many, many people in the United States would love to go on a cruise to anywhere but they cannot afford it or they do not have a job that affords them vacation. There are many, many people who would love to have a meal of Spam and Pop Tarts because they have very little if anything to eat. And there are many, many people who would love to have a soft bed to lay their head even if it was on a ship that was not able to move. The point is we need to be grateful for all we have no matter how little because there is always someone who has less.
Here at our church we offer a meal once a month for people who cannot afford a meal, who are lonely, or who just want to get out and eat. The meal is prepared by the people in the church and served with no charge. This month is the Annual Thanksgiving meal and we serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all of the fixin’s. We have received a donation of a turkey for the meal from a family that I am sure could use it themselves but they are so grateful for what they have that they wish to share their blessings with others. Compare that to the whining people on the cruise ship!
We need to be grateful and show gratitude for all that we have no matter how large r how small the blessing is. That’s the important thing to remember about this time of year.
I had to laugh at your posting that people need to stop whining! I can imagine God saying those words many times as he looks as his children. He probably thinks there is too much complaining and not enough gratitude and he is no doubt correct. This is the season to praise and be glad — and the New Year approaches for us to make new resolutions. May we all decide to give thanks more often and be of grateful hearts.
spam and pop tarts to the rescue!
we are a spoiled people,its either perfect or its not.
If they thought their cruise was bad they should have pondered the situation of those on the Titanic,I'll bet those passangers would have given anything to have had spam and pop tarts in exchange for the family members they lost,that old night.
In a bad situation you have two choices make the best of it or be unhappy and grumble.
I'm not sure if "whining" is the right word to use. I would say very frustrated, dissapointed and rightfully so. We are only human, after all.
Good point… and point taken! btw… I love poptarts! 🙂
I think you and I had our minds going the same direction. YES, being on a cruise ship with a damaged system could be annoying and even downright scary. And, yes, those whose medications were damaged b/c of the lack of refrigeration, I could feel real compassion and concern for them. [But isn't there a generator to keep the dr clinic fridge operating? If not, that needs to be fixed for sure!] Anyhow, after working with homeless here and IDPs in Uganda after rebel invasions and refugees here from Asia, I tend to think the whining was significantly annoying. My worst aspect would be the overflowing toilets, but for 3 days, NOT 3 weeks or 3 months, life is workable.
Thanks for your common sense!!!