Thanking God for my problems

Some problems and worries are universal. We all pray for good health for our loved ones and ourselves. We all worry as we see our loved one getting older and know that they will leave us one day. But I find myself complaining about ‘problems’ all the time, both out here and to my family. Mollie often listens with a half smile, shakes her head at me and says “First world problem, Mom.” Meaning what I see as a ‘problem’ would not be view as such by much of the world. As the new year approached I began thinking.

 First World Problems 

1. My husband doesn’t spank me enough

2. I’m tired of driving a mom-mobile (van)

3. One of my cats sleeps on the vent in the bedroom keeping my bedroom cold.

4. I have too much to eat and it’s hard to lose weight

5. I’m ready to retire, but I have 4 more years to go.

6. My house is a mess and I hate cleaning

7. I miss my boy, even thought it is living his dream in NYC

8. I’m not happy with our minister, many of my old friends are leaving the church I grew up in

9. I miss my baby when she’s at college

10. Worrying that LJ won’t get his big break as an actor or that Mollie won’t like being a teacher.

 Third World Problems 

1. Women have NO right and in effect belong to their husbands to keep or kill, as is his pleasure.

2. Walking is the only way to travel, not all have shoes

3. A family live in one room and have no heat

4. Parents wonder each day if they will have enough food to keep themselves and their children alive

5. Living in a refugee camp and not allowed to look for work

6. Home destroyed by war

7. Boys six and older being stolen and forced to be soldiers

8. People killed for not believing in the ‘right’ religion

9. Daughters being taken and sold as sex slaves

10. Worrying if their children will live to be adults

Here's hoping that all our 2013 problems 

are first world problems.