Life isn't fair. That phrase comes up whenever we are feeling like a victim. As a child I would say that because I had to do more chores than my brother. Or so I thought. As a teen I screamed it when I had an earlier curfew than anyone else in town. Or so I thought. As an adult I felt it when I was not selected for a promotion I felt I deserved. Or so I thought.
It's all about the perception; what do I think I deserve? How do I qualify that opinion?
What makes on person deserve more than another?
The young widow with small children to raise might ask that question.
The child born into a third world country where meals are sparse certainly might pose the question.
The family looking at the rubble that was once their home; did they deserve that storm?
It's not helpful to point out that life could always be worse. It's trite. Pain is relative. We each have difficult places in our life that we must walk through. Is it fair? Not usually.
I was on the phone with a friend to discuss some difficult things that were happening in her life. It was a conversation where the fairness of life could have easily entered in. It didn't. Instead she expressed her thoughts on how blessed she was to have her needs met.
I hung up thinking about fairness. What did I deserve out of life? In truth, I can't say I deserve what I have. I came from a life of poverty and uncertainity. My path was set for me to repeat the cycle: a single mom on welfare with no education or plans for a better future. Having been raised by a single mother I had never witnessed a marriage in action. I had no idea how to engage in a postive and successful relationship.
Yet here I am today, living in a nice home with all my needs met. I have been on some lovely Caribbean vacations, clothes are overflowing my closet, I have a nice vehicle in the driveway, and yet these things are not what I am most amazed to have in my life. My greatest treasure, and least deserved, is this adorable man that agreed to share his life with me. He is patient, loving, kind, and he makes me laugh. We have a wonderful relationship. I don't deserve him.
Life is not fair. I am so glad.
