It's Not Fair!

We watched another part of “The Nativity Story” in SS class Sunday, and I was struck by the difficulties Joseph and particularly Mary faced on that trip to Bethlehem. I guess the story is even more personal with the recent births of our new babies.

Both daughters-in-law live a few blocks from their hospitals, and as both got near their due date, we all agreed they should not get far away. When “the time” came, they jumped into comfortable cars and sped the few blocks to the hospital. Both hospitals were warm, comfortable, and nicely furnished—even the waiting rooms for well-wishers.

The young moms were never alone; nearby were doctors, nurses, and husbands, as well as mothers, fathers, sisters, friends, and me. While the second group added little to the physical process, we did pray; and both young women knew we were just a hallway away.

It was far different for young Mary. No warm, pretty hospital room, no comfortable car, no short trip on smooth streets. Was anyone with them at childbirth? Don’t know. Childbirth, at best, is hard and messy. Trained professionals examined and tended to our newborns, and everyone used hand sanitizers. None of those were found in the stable.

I have mistakenly come to equate God’s blessings with ease and comfort. The birth of the Savior shows how wrong that attitude is. God’s greatest blessing and his greatest call on a common mortal were accomplished with discomfort, danger, unsanitary conditions, and great lack.

When God asks something of me, I think He should in turn provide. He asked much of Mary and allowed her a horrendous journey and a dumpy, smelly place to bring his son to us. Did she want to shout to heaven, “It’s not fair!” Maybe, but her faith held firm. Does our faith hold firm when life isn’t fair?

I’m confident that faithful young mother raised her son to never even consider the “It’s not fair” attitude; for thirty-three years later, hanging on a cross, that son was able to forgive those who drove nails into his hands and feet. Talk about unfair!

No, life on our planet isn’t fair. Pets are pampered with gourmet food while children seek scraps in garbage heaps. Some worry about paying bills; some have money to burn; some have nothing at all. Christmas is coming, and Santa will bring expensive gifts to some little kids while others must have been too naughty to get his attention. No, life on our planet isn’t fair.

I heard someone say once that “We don’t get what we deserve from people; but praise the Lord, we also don’t get what we deserve from God.” May there be a “family resemblance” as we, at this season, become givers like our Father who gave us The Gift.

I’m so glad that the Son of God came to earth, not bringing a velvet bag of gifts for some houses, but bringing the promise of an eternal home with abundant provision for every one of his children.