WARNING: Controversial issue just ahead...
There is a particular phrase my children have attempted to utter in our household but they have quickly learned it is something I believe should not be a part of our vocabulary: "that's not fair."
It's like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard when I hear it. Who in the world, in their right mind, believes everything is fair? Why would we believe it's best for everything to be fair? Who in their right mind thinks it's the best thing in life for everyone to have their "fair share?" We've seen what that mindset has created. It doesn't build good character.
Our society is so eaten up with "fairness" that we can't even have a winner anymore! What happened to rewarding the person who worked hard to earn something?
There are winners and losers in this life under the sun and that's just the way it is. I should be happy for those who win even if it's me they had to beat: "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Rom. 12:15 NKJV
We need to see our experiences, whether they are fair or not, as another notch in the belt of learning; a building of our character. What kind of character building is there when we don't lose every now and then? What kind of character are we building when we don't have to work hard for something we want? Sometimes we have to get knocked down a lot before we achieve something - but we are better in the long run.
I believe God controls all things and uses our own free will for his good purposes: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom. 8:28 NKJV And since I believe He is in control I believe that everything IS fair. For there is a greater purpose: "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." Matthew 20:16 NKJV
"And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:27-28 NKJV
Okay... I'm finished. For now.
4 comments:
I have 120 students who utter that phrase at least twice per week per student. I'm going to read your post the first day of school and politely tell them to "get over it."
Fred - It's amazing what a little bit of suffering can do for the soul. It's only how we deal with it that matters most.
I had a math teacher in Jr. High who would respond to that complaint:
Let's not talk about the fair.
The fair's over.
(county fair in Muskogee)
AMEN!
I'm #2 on your homeschooling buds list. ;o)
Post a Comment