That's Not Fair!

 

One of my kids was running out of sweatpants that fit. The skinny waist, growing legs problem where nothing will stay up or it looks like they’re wearing capris. So off to Old Navy we went. All 3 kids were in the store with me, and while we were specifically looking for pants for one, we found 2 items on sale for another as well. We did look for sale items for the third child, but nothing was found in the right size and there weren’t any specific needs in the moment anyway. 

          On the walk to the cash register, through the aisles, and out the door there was a stream of “that’s not fair’s!” I cannot actually tell you how many times I hear that phrase. I’m never surprised by it. There’s a natural sin-nature “that’s not fair-ness” in all of us! I want to take each moment it arises to teach a correct biblical worldview of fairness. Most of the time, however, my in-the-moment response often is, “You’re right, it’s not and neither is life.” *Insert eye roll at such a mom-answer.

           It is true that because we live in a broken world, full of sinful people, life here will always be unfair. It is important that my children learn the reality of this truth so that they can reasonably respond to it in their futures.

          It is also the case that in our complaints of “that’s not fair,” they are coming out of us because we are wallowing in selfishness, pride, comparison, and jealousy. None of these things is good or pleasing to the Lord, either. So having a shift of perspective, finding the things we are thankful for, realizing it’s not actually all about us, will benefit our hearts greatly.

         God is just. He is good and fair always at all times. He does not change his standards from one person to another. He offers freedom from sin to every human. His truth is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The way to a full relationship with Him and forgiveness from sin is the same for every person.

From our perspective, we could say that some of His gracious and good gifts are unfair in the sense that we do not deserve them! We do not deserve Jesus’ rescue on the cross. We cannot earn any part of the close relationship God offers us. It is not fair that even in our daily sin we are offered hope eternal with Jesus! 

It is my desire that over time my kids will learn the reality of a fallen world and the fulfillment of a just and fair God. I pray they will learn to imitate their Savior and strive to treat their neighbors with fairness and love. And when they fail or others fail them, I hope they take the steps to repent and restore and forgive. I pray these things as I pray for God’s help with this problem in my own heart. And when I get caught up in some self pity and consider my life less fair than the next person’s, may the Spirit prompt me to have that perspective shift, preaching the gospel to myself and thinking well and kindly of others.

--Sandy Gromacki