Having a bad attitude

My family and I have been expecting a visit from my sister Audrey. Due to being snowed in, our huge driveway needed shoveling. Last night my brother Jeffery, his girlfriend Rachelle, and I spent the evening with a family friend. On our way home, we decided it would be a great idea to shovel the entire driveway. It was around 11 pm and by the time we were done, it was around 12:20 am. Satisfied with a job well done, we came inside rosy-cheeked and sore. As we arrived inside and were taking off our snow gear, we were greeted by my younger brother, Patrick. We told him how much work was accomplished, and were appalled to hear Audrey was not, in fact, coming.

Being an extreme pestimist, I grumbled about how tired I was and how it was frustrating that no one took the time to inform us. Slowely our happy moods were destroyed by my complaining. Jeffery told us it was not in vain, and that if we had not done it, someone else would have had to. I half listened, and half decided to feel sorry for myself.

As the evening progressed, Jeffery and Rachelle decided they would leave a day earlier, since Audrey was not coming. I helped them figure out what time they would depart, and what car they would rent from Omaha.

The next morning, we woke up, and realized we would have to take the car (instead of the van) to Omaha. I am going to back up a little, and inform you that the reason we had to shovel the driveway, was Audrey was coming in a small car. Anyways, we realized that all of that work was needed, and I started to feel really bad about my behavior. Having a bad attitude will get you nowhere, and will leave you with a bad feeling inside.

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)