Life's Not Fair. Neither is God.

A major revelation came to me recently.  Life's not fair.  Mind-blowing truth.  Life's not fair.  If you don't believe me, just take the past few weeks of my life.  A couple of weeks ago, I set out on a trip that was supposed to be the best week of my whole year. Just a few days before I left, I found out that my dad had cancer.  While gone, I received a message that I should hurry if I wanted to see him before he passed.  Then we got a call that our home had been broken into (false alarm, but worrisome nonetheless).  On the last day of our trip, I got the call that my dad had passed.  On the same day that we lost my grandma to cancer four years earlier.  The day after his funeral, I got the news that a close family member needs an urgent surgery. Really?  These days, it seems that I can't get passed one thing before another hits.  It's just not fair.  There's not enough of me for all of this.

But wait.  Before you bail on me because you think that I invited you to my pity party, I will share the real revelation.  God's not fair either.  He blesses us abundantly.  Daily. While we could never count all of His blessings, I am certain that they outnumber the instances when life isn't fair.  Many people have made a habit of counting blessings to increase their awareness of this truth.  I don't exactly keep such a list, but I do have a habit that I have passed to my kids.  When something happens that leads me don a path of self-pity, I deliberately turn my thinking.

Poor me, I didn't get to grow up in a home with my mom and dad.  Blessed me, I had grandparents who stepped in to give me a loving home.  I got to grow up with my cousins and have lots of wonderful memories with my family.  I have the best relationship with my mom and, as an adult, got to know my dad's family.

Poor me, my husband lost his very steady job.  Blessed me, someone bought our house and car and we were offered a temporary place to stay while we regrouped.  My husband got another job within a few weeks of our move and we have been able to serve our community in a whole new way.

Poor me, my daughter has special needs.  Blessed me, I have a background in special education and a friend whose son has the same conditions as my daughter.  My daughter's experiences have connected us to some amazing people.  My daughter is one of the best parts of my life and brings a smile to the face of anyone who knows here.

I could go on and on, but the point has been made.  For every unfair thing that comes our way, God throws a handful of unfair, undeserved love, grace, and mercy our way.  For that I am thankful.