Such a common phrase in our country. I wonder if many people in other parts of the world say this??? I know we in America are so quick to compare ourselves to others for our own benefit. "She got more than I did!" "But the Brown's got a new house, car..." Well, I've been training myself and trying to train my kids to think in the other direction. Instead of comparing yourself to those who have more/better than you, compare yourself to those less fortunate. It brings life into much sharper perspective. Eating leftovers again isn't so bad when you compare yourself to those going hungry or eat rice everyday or dumpster dive for their meals.

But who said life was supposed to be fair? It never says so in the Bible. It says GOD is just, but HE never promises life will be fair. Look at JESUS. Was life fair to HIM? NO WAY! If we want to compare ourselves, let's compare our lot in life with HIS! HE left perfection to come live among those who would revile HIM and eventually murder HIM. HE was misunderstood all HIS life, even by HIS own family. HIS friends deserted HIM in HIS greatest hour of need. HE had an unfair trial. HE was innocent, yet HE was beaten beyond recognition, falsely accused, stripped, humiliated, in incredible pain, had nails driven through HIS body, asphyxiated and died though HE had done NO wrong. But worst of all, I beleive, to HIM was that HIS FATHER turned HIS back on HIM.

We are all about stuff. Listen to our prayers. I hear it in my prayers, my children's prayers, my husband's prayers, our prayers at church... When was the last time we talked with GOD and didn't ask HIM for a thing - confessed, thanked and praised with no petitions?

GOD has such a different view. HE wants a relationship with each of us - a deep, intimate relationship - personal, just you and HIM sharing the depths of yourselves with each other. HE wants a relationship with us that can transcend any hardship. Do we have that? Do I have that? I think I do, but it's easy to lose sight of. Coming through these dark days, I'm still with the LORD, but I see HIM with very different eyes than I used to. Now how to get it with 3 children, 1 toddler, 2 needy dogs, 1 husband, 1 house to take care of, homeschooling, church and health issues, I haven't figured it out yet. But I catch glimpses of it now and then. Meet me in the middle of it, LORD.

(These thoughts came from my reading of Philip Yancey's book, Disappointment With God.)