Anita Ojeda Have you ever said, I don’t deserve this, but secretly thought you did? And what exactly DO we deserve?<.small>
This post is part of the Five-Minute Friday quick write hosted by Kate Moutang. Join us each Thursday night on Twitter (#FMFParty) for fun and fellowship, then grab a pen and start writing when the prompt goes live!
A Slice of Heaven
“I don’t deserve this!” I looked around at the stunning falls rushing over rocks nestled in a lush green hillside. Huge, craggy mountain peaks rose out of the same thick greenery.
Eira blinked.
“I mean, I really don’t deserve this. It looks like heaven.” Wild purple geraniums and snowy-white yarrow spotted the hillside. A hoary marmot screeched a warning and scampered back under a boulder.
Eira wagged her tail.
I have an easy, comfortable life. A job I love, a family who loves me, freedom to worship as I please, and excellent medical insurance. Insurance which made this hike possible on this glorious day in Alaska. Recovering from ankle surgery three months earlier had worn me thin, but now I had returned to the trails and had beautiful scenery spread out before me.
But I really don’t deserve this comfortable life. If I had come into the world in a different country, born to different parents, my life would have turned out so differently. What if I hadn’t shared the same skin color as the people with plush pocket who wielded power? Would I stand on a mountainside enjoying a taste of heaven?
Probably not. Like most of the privileged in America, I often forget I don’t deserve what I have. I fail to use my privilege to help those who get marginalized, forgotten, trod on, and misunderstood.
But Jesus told us to look out for the least—especially if we have the most. I don’t have deep pockets like Bill Gates, or even those ‘middle-class Americans’ that regularly spend $15,000 on their summer vacations. But I can afford a plane ticket to Alaska. I have more than 90% of the world’s population has.
We Don’t Deserve it, Either
And we did nothing to deserve such wealth. We don’t have it because God thinks more highly of us than someone from another country. But God does have high hopes for us. The least we can do for the least of these is to listen with compassion.
If someone tells us they feel misunderstand, believe her. When someone says they live in fear, don’t ask, “What do you have to be afraid of?” Ask how you can help. If a mother in front of you struggles to quiet her screaming toddler while she pays for her groceries with food offer a compassionate smile. Let her know you see her.
I don’t deserve the comfortable lives I live, but all too often I fail to invite anyone else in.
How do we reconcile what we don't deserve to those who have nothing? #fmfparty Click To TweetFor by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Romans 12:3 NIV
there’s so much in life we don’t deserve. Yet… God treats us like well-loved children, gifted beyond measure. 🙂
And it’s so easy to think we’re entitled to those gifts.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…SCH 056 Self-Care Hacks to Help You Plan the Best Ever Summer for Your Kids
This is SO true and so important to remember. It’s very easy for our perspective to be skewed in our favor; we must keep looking back to God and His definition of “deserve,” It’s not about merit; it’s about His grace.
Ellie Di Julio recently posted…The one who robbed you
Amen. We puretty much don’t deserve anything.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Why I Really Don’t Deserve the Comfortable Life I Live
Thank you for sharing these hard but simple truths!! Deirdre FMF#3
Thanks for stopping by, Deirdre!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Inspirational Historical Releases to Make You Think
Oh yes! I agree. We put in the place of privilege we are to serve – it’s important that we keep our eyes and ears open to see how we can help those we can.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted…The Good You Deserve As A Writer
Sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking I have to help everyone. But no, I need to help the ones I can and respect everyone.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Why Everyone’s Quiet Time Meaning Might be Different and That’s Ok
“How do we reconcile what we don’t deserve to those who have nothing?” We share. We trust. We pray. We give. I’m listening to an audiobook that addresses the issues of poverty from an interesting perspective. The book is called ‘No Greater Love’ by Mother Teresa. I think you would appreciate the book.
~Lisa, FMF #21
Lisa Blair recently posted…You Deserve Our Praise
That sounds like a good book! Thank you.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…SCH 057 Hacks for Camping in the Walmart Parking Lot
Grateful with you, Anita … and increasingly aware that God is calling us to be more present toward others whose circumstances are quite different.
Linda Stoll recently posted…On Cultivating a Gentle & Lowly Spirit
It’s so easy to sit in the seat of judgement, isn’t it?
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Inspirational Historical Releases to Make You Think
So thankful for God’s abundant grace- even when we don’t understand- we know it’s all Grace!!
Yes, yes, yes. I very frequently am aware that I have so much more than I deserve. May I never be reluctant to give out of my abundance.
Lisa notes recently posted…What’s in a Word? Actually Quite a Lot —Grace & Truth Linkup
Yes, definite praises to God each day for his blessings given. You are so right, and one no more deserving than others. We can share His Love for others, and pass it forward. Let me never forget that.
Thank you for visiting Peabea Scribbles and linking up so I could come visit. Have a nice week-end and happy week. 🙂