Not Fair But Equal

My two children often complain that I show favoritism with each maintaining that the other is the object of my affection. Although I know that their claims are ludicrous, after all parents don't have favorites, I understand why they think the way that they do. Cranay believes that I allow Tre to get away with things that I never let her when she was his age, and she thinks that I do way more for him than I ever do for her. For instance, she thinks that it is insane that he has owned a cell phone since the end of 5th grade when we made her wait until she was in the 8th grade to get a cell phone, and she was only given one because she was starting sports and needed to contact me to pick her up when she left away games. Tre thinks I let Cranay get away with murder, and he is absolutely sure that I only had him to be my personal slave.

The truth is that I do have separate standards for each of my children and rightfully so. But before you shake a finger at me, understand that each one of my kids is different. They have different personalities, different needs, and different maturity levels. I don't actually show any more favor to one or the other, but I do what is necessary for each child which sometimes is not always the same thing. My policy may not be fair, but it is equal because what one child needs the other does not require. What seems appropriate for an older child, may be inappropriate for a younger child. I mean isn't that why a 16 year old can drive, but a 12 year old better not maneuver more than a lawn mower. My dad always reminded me that the sentiment "too whom much is given, much is required" rings true.

Sometimes like children we feel that life is unfair or that God doesn't treat us all equally. The simple truth is that God loves us with our quirks, personalities, temperaments, successes, and shortcomings. Yet sometimes He allows us to experience some things that others never will or sometimes we can never get away with what others seem to always escape. That my friends is called Grace. Grace is God's favor shown to us even when we do not deserve it. It is not based on how good we are nor is it cancelled no matter how bad we are. We cannot earn grace so no matter how much of the right things you do; it will not mean more to God than one who always misses the mark. We must learn to not compare ourselves to others, and we should not question "why me" when circumstances befall us. It is funny how we never ask why us when His blessings and favor fall on us even when we know we don't deserve it.

Let's face it life is not fair, but it is equal. We are all created in God's image and have the same access to His perfect love. However, we don't all make the same choices or experience the same level of sacrifice. Admit it, you don't know what the next person had to do or went through that birthed God's measure of grace into their lives. We always see the glory in other people's lives, but we seldom recognize the cost, the price that those blessings required from them. What did he or she have to give up? Who was taken from their life? How long have they suffered? The truth is that we don't know. We only see the mark of grace on their life. So, the next time the enemy tries to defeat you or cause you to question the sufficiency of God's hand in your life, cast that thought aside and embrace God's word.

" And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

This verse reassures us that God will show you grace and mercy when you need it, and that when you feel weak it is then that He is your strength. So be encouraged when your life seems overwhelming or out of control because Jesus in all of His power and authority will bring you through, and you will enter His perfect will. Trust God's decision and learn to walk in the cloud of grace and favor over your life!