One of my favorite little boys in Kid's Church had this rotten habit of whining when things didn't go his way. He could be in the back of the room, but I could hear it coming. A long, drawn-out "Aaawww" followed by a huff as he crossed his arms over his chest, slumped his shoulders and frowned. Some people cringe at the sound of nails on a blackboard. That's what this sound did to me. After a few weeks of this, I began countering by placing my hand on his shoulder, looking him straight in the eye, and saying "You know what? Life's not fair." Initially he'd roll his eyes and stomp off, but eventually he started to get it. He began whining less and less until all I had to say was "You know what?" and he'd reply "Life's not fair!" and smile that big endearing smile that I love.
I am truly grateful that God gives me opportunities to teach. I enjoy teaching kids and adults alike. Before I was called to ministry I was attending school to become an English teacher.
The funny thing about lessons....in order to teach them, we have to learn them. Some of the lessons we learn come with a refresher pop quiz when you least expect it.
Today was pop quiz day. Today I got a refresher course in "Life's not fair."
As a result of prior misuse of priviledge by others, my daughter has a difficult choice to make. As a homeschooler we thought she would be able to have dual-enrollment status and take some elective classes at the local middle school and some through a neighboring district's homeschool program. Unbeknownst to us, this policy was changed a few years ago. Those we know who are still dual-enrolled are able to do so because they had this status before the policy change. Unfortunately we have one day to make the decision since we found out today, the current semester ends tomorrow and the new semester begins Monday. If she choses the new program she has to go to school tomorrow and tell her friends and teachers that it will be her last day. If she chooses to remain at the local school she will be giving up the opportunity to try something new, meet new friends and take advantage of additional curriculum and resources.
She's been so great about the whole thing. She made a list of the pros and cons of both options. She did some extra research and weighed her options. She agreed to take tonight to pray about it before making her final decision in the morning. She handled the news much better than I did. I cried.
This is the second time I've written this particular post. The first time I vented. Okay, I whined. I huffed, crossed my arms, slumped my shoulders and frowned. Not literally of course, but figuratively, with my words. As I was typing, I thought to myself, "You know what?" and I heard that little voice answer back "Life's not fair!" and I saw that big smile in my mind. Then I hit the delete button and started all over.
Life isn't fair. My heart hurts for my little girl and the decision she will make tomorrow morning. I know this decision will pale in comparison to the ones she will have to make as an adult, but it doesn't make it any easier. I know this won't be the last time someone else's actions will affect my child.
In the midst of it all, I know that as much as this blindsided me, God wasn't taken by surprise. "This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it - the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'" (Jeremiah 33:2-3) God, the God who made the earth, hears my heart's cry. He listens to me when I whine and when I pout. He doesn't promise life will be fair, but He promises He will hear me when I call to Him. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) God has a plan for my family and for my daughter. In the midst of it all, whatever decision she makes tomorrow I'm excited to see what God has in store.
You know what? Life's not fair, and that's okay!
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