first world problems...

it's a hashtag. 

for real. like 4 months ago no one even knew what a #hashtag was. but now people are all about #hashtagging #this and #that. whatever is does, making people feel important. 

but #firstworldproblems is a #hashtag that has got me thinking a lot lately...

all this social media. it's often times just a sounding board for complaining, self-empathy, and "o look how important/awesome/wonderful/funny/cool I AM" 

so often i get on Facebook {which is often} and everyone is just complaining.

baby didn't sleep. 

i'm tired. 

i'm bored. 

my friends are lame. 

i didn't get _____.

this is stressful. 

blah 

blah 

blah

and then all these "first world problems" 

stuff the majority of the world doesn't even have the option to think about! 

example:

on wednesday, my phone screen broke. i pretty much could only call the people on speed dial. 

i was unable to do work really. i couldn't contact anyone etc. 

so i got on Facebook asking if people had an extra phone lying around. 

a sweet friend graciously dug out a phone & charger and left it in the milk box for me to pick up. 

i picked it, put my sim card in, and started playing with it. 

admittedly it's pretty hard to work & much different than any other phone i've had. 

the buttons are just the opposite & where i usually press "send" i'm pressing "delete"

my sinful heart grew something ugly. 

i was grouchy and frustrated and just not fun to be around. 

but the #hashtag 

#firstworldproblems

popped into my head. 

with this phone i can still call everyone i need. 

i can still do my work. i can even snap a picture of my cute boy.

this grouchy and ungrateful heart of mine was rocked with the thought that the majority of the world doesn't even have the option to be grouchy and ungrateful about any phone at all. 

for some people doing their work means walking miles. for some people talking with their mom is not even possible because of distance. for some people having just a land line would be world-shattering-wonderful.

and i think this is so true of so many people right now. 

we use social media to complain about all these things that aren't even an option for the majority of the world. 

#firstworldproblems

can we just be grateful & appreciate the blessings of this "first world" we live in???

THANK YOU LORD

for

this phone

this house

these problems

for food on the table

formula in the cupboard

toys in the basket 

crumbs on the floor

insurance 

busy schedules

soccer games & birthday parties

crockpots 

grocery store trips

filling the tank with gas

bathtime

fresh water all.the.time

for so much. 

everything around me. 

even when it feels like a burden, something to complain about. 

Lord, remind to be thankful for these

#firstworldproblems

{i don't write these things because i think i'm so much better than everyone else, it's just what God is teaching me right now...}