First World Problems

I confess. I was complaining about some stuff when my soon to be sixteen year old stopped me cold. His reply, "First world problems." Ever since he threw that comment out at me, it's become my mantra. I catch myself starting a gripe and it refocuses me. How very blessed I am to have an internet connection to complain over its speed, a kitchen to fuss over how small it is, and food in the pantry - behind the empty boxes the teenagers leave in it.

Last week the new iPhone came out. Oh, hallelujah. I saw an article where a college student was complaining. He preordered the iPhone 5, but he didn't receive it. Well, bless his heart, oh the horror. Instantly the saying, first world problems, came to mind. We are a spoiled and pampered society. We want what we want, when we want it, and then when we get it, it's only good until the next newer, greater want comes down the line. And that seems to apply to everything...your spouse is old, get a new one...your face is old, get a new one....your electronics don't get up and do the dancing for you, get a new one...

Our church runs a food pantry. It's open on Saturday mornings. We've helped shop for it, bag food for it, and hand out food - though not as often as we should. Saturday on my way to a lunch with friends, I passed it and saw the line. It was horribly long, reminding me to add some items to my grocery list this week. Like so many of us, the day to day can be a struggle with competing demands. I often struggle with how to keep my teenagers focused on the real priorities of life - God, family, friends, community. Isn't it interesting that it was one of my teenagers who helped refocus me - how blessed we all are in this first world country.