The world is a vastly unfair place of existence. Has been since the beginning of time. It can be cold and harshly divided. Life can swing wildly in favor of one and then come like a 1000 lb. wrecking ball swinging back with a breathtaking punch in the other direction without warning. It is life.
My husband and I used to joke that our middle son would make a great lawyer because he could not only argue his way out of a paper bag, but the “it’s not fair” refrain is burned into my memory of his collective childhood. No, son, it is not fair. It didn’t help that his younger brother, by only a year and a half, was treated pretty much the same regarding bedtimes, allowances, etc. He would vehemently object; “but I am the older brother!”
It is in our nature to fix things. Perhaps it is in our nature to think we’re the only ones who can. When I can’t find my keys, or phone, or any number of things, my husband goes into instant fix mode to find them when really, all I am doing is venting that they are indeed lost. I’ll find them myself. I can be such a two-year-old. When a customer offers a complaint, I want very much to explain and fix and find a workable solution that at times, has none. I get it; sometimes they just need to be heard.
I’ve embraced and memorized the “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…” mantra and I also recognize the second part which is the courage to change the things I can. We each play a part in making our world a better place for our children to grow up in and it is with profound hope that we take up the challenge with the grace and temerity to endure the race but also the humility needed to catch the tears of those who shed them.
Not everything can be fixed on this earthly side of the journey. It’s too big for me. It’s too big for you. But I can love my family, my kids, my husband and try to love those that don’t deserve it but need it the most. Until the day comes when my ‘tomorrow’ is on the other side of glory, I’ll continue to fight for honor, for truth, for love and forgiveness.
Singer Nightbirde said it best before she died of cancer in February at the age of 31, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” She couldn’t fix cancer, but she slayed happy.
That’s hard-won wisdom.
Elaine
