Playing fair ...

I have this thing about things being fair.  Wasn't that one of those basic skills we were supposed to be proficient at in kindergarten??  Pretty sure my Mom could tell you of the millions of times I lamented, "that's just not fair!"  I even remember one day in high school going to the principal (BIG deal cause I'm really shy ...) because my history teacher assigned the class homework as a collective punishment for something I was NOT doing (and in case you're wondering, I got out of it ...)  That's ONE mistake I never made teaching.  Wasn't fair! 

I'm really NOT into rules ... but where rules or expectations exist, I think they should be applied to all as fairly and impartially as possible.  And, that friends, makes my life crazy!!  For instance, when some jerk comes flying around me and then cuts me off, I'm looking for the cop up ahead that's gonna get him.  If I have to work, I think the other people who have my job should work (not do other stuff), too!  If we're supposed to stick to a budget, well, then do it.  If you "borrow" the last of my flour without asking, then I think your cookies should turn out flat ... if you "steal" that parking place I've been waiting for patiently (or not) with my blinker on, then I hope you trip on your way into the store.  Not saying I'm proud of it, but I think people should do what they're supposed to or are expected to do ... and I'm not too upset when life bites you in the butt when you don't ... and I can get up on my soapbox when it doesn't!! (Ok, I said I'm not PROUD of that thought!)

BUT, hmmm ... "fair" doesn't really happen all that often.  Here's a PSA for ya: Life's just not fair!  The wonderful couple who will make great parents can't seem to have a baby.  The druggie with six children with six daddies will have no problem popping out #7.  Godly people who give of their resources to minister to others may struggle with their bills or lose a job while a family living only for themselves makes millions of dollars.  I can put in my 70 hours and get paid the same as the people who showed up for 30 of it.  I can make godly, wise decisions and do what God has called me to do, and yep, still gonna be single.  I can workout and eat my 19 points and still not lose weight while some boy's gonna do 20 push ups and drop 5 pounds - really??  (really NOT bitter this morning, I promise, maybe Solomon's making me cynical!) Generally, people don't get what they deserve ... either in a good way or a bad way.

And yes, I know my desire for truth and justice extends only so far ... it extends to everyone but ME!  :0)  Cause I am truly thankful when I breeze past the cop going over the speed limit but don't get stopped.  I am thankful that I don't get the treatment my attitude deserves.  I'm glad that God doesn't repay me for my laziness or selfishness or treat me as I deserve.  I'm glad I don't get paid for my "results." I'm glad that the donut I ate isn't literally plastered to my butt (do you remember those ads - hilarious!!) Grace is grace and we don't get to choose to whom it is extended or when ... and the whole point is that NO ONE deserves it, and who am I to think that someone should be extended less ... or more grace than me. 

Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:

I saw the tears of the oppressed—

and they have no comforter;

power was on the side of their oppressors—

and they have no comforter.

And I declared that the dead,

who had already died,

are happier than the living,

who are still alive.

But better than both

is he who has not yet been,

who has not seen the evil

that is done under the sun.

Eccl 4:1-3

Solomon's saying, "I see you predicament ... you're better off not even born ... cause there's just evil!"  SO, back to yesterday's conclusion ... there is going to be oppression and injustice in the world!  There are going to be people ruined by envy, selfishness, and fame! We cannot let what we cannot know (or change) destroy what we CAN enjoy!  Today there's a lot on my heart to pray for: my sweet friend, E's Dad is fighting cancer and has tests today to prepare for his stem cell transplant next month.  My dear friend, W is giving birth TODAY to her firstborn (and she's still in labor!), my aunt is in ICU on a vent with congestive heart failure.  Plus I am still praying for healing in relationships and healing from cancers, and people to come to know Christ.  Evil and death and disease are part of our world.  Injustice and ugliness and sin are as well.  If it doesn't touch your life, directly, today, thank God and eat chocolate ice cream.  If it DOES, pray, cry, deal ... and eat chocolate ice cream. If we're waiting for it to all work out before we start living, we're going to die before we get there. 

Praying for sweet friends, eating my 100 calorie pack of Milanos (still got that biggest loser thing), enjoying a RARE lunch break alone today (between my 8 missions interviews!) ... and saying THIS is the day the Lord has made (there's never gonna be another "today") so I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!