Grumpiness – Mephibosheth, Mel and Me

Mephibosheth was the grandson of the dead and disgraced King Saul. Due to a childhood accident he was a cripple. He lived, forgotten by most, in a quiet out-of-the-way village.

The successful, powerful King David had him brought to Jerusalem: ‘Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant that you should notice a dead dog like me?’

David decided to show him kindness, giving him his grandfather’s extensive lands, enjoying a place in David’s court, eating from David’s table… extravagant, undeserved generosity.

I’m reading ‘Who I Am’, the autobiography of Melanie C – of Spice Girls fame. She tells how an ordinary girl from a divorced parents and a working-class background became famous:

‘As a kid, the idea of becoming a ‘celebrity’ seemed nothing but fun: signing autographs, chatting about yourself on the telly, walking on red carpets. I had no idea that fame can highlight all your insecurities, that it can exacerbate even the smallest issues with, for instance, eating, drinking, drugs… and so on. Reading about myself, in often a very negative light, quickly took a toll on my mental wellbeing…’

I’m buying a Disney themed t-shirt. I don’t like shopping at the best of times – whether in a shop or online. I quickly become grumpy… so ‘I’m Grumpy – deal with it’ is probably appropriate.

It’s not just shopping – I can get grumpy in many other situations too…!

And dealing with that grumpiness?

…I muse on…

…Mephibosheth who had reason to be grumpy… disability, disgraced family, side-lined… yet he received undeserved, unexpected kindness

…Mel who had reason to be grumpy – social deprivation, broken family, mental ill-health… yet she worked through it

…Friends who have more reason to be grumpy than me… going through times of bereavement, depression, long illnesses… putting my grumpiness in perspective

…My Bible hero Job… who’d lost everything… family, business, home, health, self-respect… at a time of uncertainty and potential grumpiness, he says ‘I know that my Redeemer lives…’

…and grumpiness gives way to hope.