Count Your Blessings
The Jewish tale Meshka the Kvetch tells the story of Meshka, a woman who constantly complains about her life. Her son spends all day reading and is lazy – "like a bump on a kosher pickle," she says. Her daughter rarely visits, her house feels cramped, and her body aches all over! Whenever anyone talks to Meshka, she eagerly shares her daily woes.
One day, she notices an itch on her tongue and soon discovers a startling truth: everything she complains about begins to come true. Her son literally transforms into a pickle, her house shrinks, her daughter forgets her completely, and she is physically crushed by the weight of her exaggerated grumbling.
When the rabbi sees Meshka in her state, he explains to her that she has the "Kvetch’s Itch," a condition where complaints manifest into reality. He advises her to replace her grumbling with gratitude. Meshka takes his advice to heart, expressing thankfulness for her son’s desire to learn, her daughter’s visits despite her busy schedule, her home’s warmth and sturdiness, and her ability to stay active – even at her age. As she speaks words of gratitude, her life returns to normal. From that day on, whenever Meshka starts to complain, her tongue begins to itch, reminding her to count her blessings. Over time, this helps her cultivate an enduring attitude of gratitude.
This story always hits me right in the gut. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of complaining, and I often catch myself thinking negative thoughts:
Ugh, I have to cook dinner again tonight.
There’s so much laundry to fold.
I always have so many things to get done.
I have to drive so far for my job.
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or burdened by responsibilities. But I’ve found a small shift in mindset can make a world of difference:
I’m so thankful we have food to eat tonight.
I’m grateful for the people who wear these clothes and for the chance to show them love, even through something as simple as folding laundry.
I’m thankful for the skills and abilities that allow me to accomplish tasks, whether at home, at work, or for others.
I appreciate having a reliable vehicle to get me where I need to go – and the means to pay for gas.
A change in perspective doesn’t erase challenges, but it transforms how I experience them.
Proverbs 17:22 reminds us, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” King Solomon challenges us to recognize how deeply our attitude affects not only our outlook on life but even our physical health. A person content in the Lord and His blessings can experience peace – even when life doesn’t go as planned.
Written by Hannah, Life in Messiah staff
Are there blessings in your life you might be overlooking because you’re too focused on what feels wrong? How would your daily experiences change if you replaced every complaint with gratitude?
List five things you find yourself complaining about most regularly. How can you change your mindset and be thankful instead?
Challenge: Start a thankfulness jar or journal. Each day or week, write down a few things for which you are thankful. It is a blessing to look back and see how God has provided, even in little ways.