You were taught ... to be made new in the attitude of your minds.

Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV)

Remember when going a new route or wearing a new dress was exciting? Now I call it a hassle. No wonder I heard the phrase “grumpy old lady” long before I became one. Yes, I have limitations, and the attitude crept into me before I was aware. Now it’s time to re-vision how I think, re-visit my younger reactions, and remember my Baptism.

In Ephesians 4, Paul was addressing behavior far worse than grumpiness, but the cure is the same. Christ has made us new in Baptism for the little problems as much as for the big. Our prayers are heard whether for an illness or for an unkind word. For the grumpy old lady, it might be a simple change in perspective — call it a challenge, not a hassle.

Judy Scherr
Lemay, MO

All-Knowing God, bless us with the attitudes Christ taught, and show us the way to meet our challenges. Amen.

Reflect: Write out a plan for tackling one challenge with the help of God.

Read: Ephesians 4:21-24 and James 1:2-8, 12