Do All Things

Philippians 2

 ¹⁴Do all things^(AE) without grumbling or^(AF) questioning, ¹⁵that you may be blameless and innocent,^(AG) children of God^(AH) without blemish^(AI) in the midst of^(AJ) a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine^(AK) as lights in the world, ¹⁶holding fast to^(AL) the word of life, so that in^(AM) the day of Christ^(AN) I may be proud that^(AO) I did not run in vain or labor in vain. ¹⁷Even if I am to be^(AP) poured out as a drink offering upon^(AQ) the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

I can't say I've done a very good job of this lately. It's the end of the school year. Translation: Kids have checked out mentally and are asking questions like, "Can we watch a movie?" and "When are we going to the park?", which kills productivity and makes me, more than at any other time of year, feel like a babysitter rather than a teacher. I am not unique; the problem is systemic. Naturally, the blanket "Those kids..." statements start trickling, then pouring out of the mouths of teachers, and it's hard not to agree. Pretty soon I find myself mired in a negativity that seeps into every thought, every word, every action, first with the students, then with my family. It's amazing the difference an attitude makes.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most people are only as happy as they make up their minds to be." I think Paul is touching on the same theme here. God cares not only about the ends but the means; not only with what we do but how we do it. If we give or serve in the Church with a bad attitude, not only does our sacrifice become a hollow one but we rob ourselves of the joy that accompanies the gift. One must only look to the example of Cain and Abel to see what God thinks of sacrifices offered with stinky attitudes. Conversely, I think (this is my opinion, not scripture) God is more pleased with misguided sacrifices offered with the best intentions and attitudes than He is with the best sacrifices offered with ill motives or bad attitudes.
When it comes to most things in life, attitude is far more important than aptitude.