Just play the field

“Life isn't fair.” Haven’t you been told that your entire life? I know I have; not just by my parents, but anyone who chooses to take something away from you. Maybe it’s tangible, maybe not; either way, it’s often heard when something is a disappointment. It’s like using “bless your heart.” All of you southern readers know what I’m referring to…those that don’t, just ask a southerner! I feel like we use these as excuse phrases-you know- to make the situation not seem so bad. In reality, though, life really isn't fair, but was it ever supposed to be?

Jesus died on the cross to save us- for eternal life and happiness- but we have to suffer for the good of our Lord. Doesn't sound like a good deal to you? Well…would you have rather been nailed to a cross to die? I think in the scheme of things we've become spoiled by movies and books and TV shows about our true reality. I know I searched for a story book romance for so long. Not to say that I don’t have a great relationship, but no one has ever crawled up my hair or rescued me from a fire breathing dragon and then taken me off into the sunset on his white steed. Expectations can be so heartbreaking. I had my whole life planned out when I was a senior in high school. I was going to marry my high school boyfriend after we graduated college and then we were going to live in his grandfather’s house, and eventually have a family. Sounds great…sounds very… Leave it to Beaveresque…sounds so NOT like me. Maybe that was me then, but life’s unfair treatments have turned me into someone that I love. Who would I be without the Lord’s guidance and life’s scary, but needed lessons? I would be this shy, un-traveled, dependent girl with no back-bone. Ha…we all know, that’s not who I am now!

I’ve never been a spoiled person or cared about money, so to me, life’s earlier, unfair curve balls had been simple things-things that I might forget about the next day. Things a high-schooler would “die” over, but as a young adult, we laugh. “Oh my gosh, my hair is so..frizzy!” “Oh my gosh, he didn't ask me to prom!”  “Oh my gosh, my parents won’t let me go to his party!” And so on….

Now, life has stepped up its game and decided to throw some sliders. You know, those ones that sneak in without you expecting it. I’ve spent a lot of tears and pouty days asking God what is going on lately. Is this a mid-term!? I feel like I can’t get up off the ground before getting knocked down again. And then…I remember… a man is strongest when he/she is on their knees before the Lord. Where am I though? Am I on my knees? No, I’m crossing my arms and pouting like a 5 year old when I should be giving all of my worry to the Lord. What about people with life-threatening problems? Those strong souls of cancer, the hungry, the homeless, the broken and abused…I’m none of those. Yes, I’ve known people with these harsh conditions, but never personally-myself. My mom had breast cancer and became a stronger woman of God, one of my childhood friends traded in luxury for a life in Africa—helping those in need. My dad is currently losing his business. There are so many other issues I could mention, but I really don’t think there’s enough space to fit them all. Ha, and I’m disputing an unfair call on my life!? How does humanity form us to be this way? I don’t consider myself to be a prideful person, but what is it about giving up problems!? Why do we want to fix them ourselves? There’s no prize, no reward, no trophy. No one congratulates you on your life problem solving. So why is it so hard to just say, “Lord, I give it all to you; take it, for it is yours?” Hmmm…not hard at all J it’s not that life isn't fair; it’s that we’re trying to be the umpires instead of just playing the field.