Life’s not fair.

A few Saturdays ago, Adalyn and I took a walk over to see Helen Mbugwa, the dorm mom at our school. It was a beautiful day and I wanted to get outside for a bit. Also, my sister, Rachel, had written a card to one of the boarding students before she left that I needed to deliver.  I decided to go and chat with Helen for a little bit first,  and then ask her to give it to the girl.

When I arrived outside her house I found her sitting with 2 other teachers out front. I joined them and talked for a while.  After about half an hour, the other 2 teachers had gone, and I decided it was time for me to head home too. I pulled out the card and asked Helen if she could give it to Anne, the student.  She told me that I should deliver it to her personally, as she was right inside.

I said to her, “Well, I wasn’t sure if you wanted her to receive it in front of other students, since she is the only one getting a card. The others might be upset that they don’t have one too.”  I thought that was a pretty reasonable thought, but her response took me by surprise. 

She replied, “You know, life is not fair. I think the Lord is always teaching us this. He even shows us in creation.  Look at these trees (pointing up to all the trees around us), many of them were planted at the same time…and see, some are tall and some are short; some are skinny and some are large.  It’s not fair, but they grew differently.  These girls need to learn that life will not always be fair.  So, bring the card in and give it to her. ”

Helen was right! I think that a lot of times we try and shield kids from being treated unfairly, but Helen teaches them that life is not always fair and that is ok. It will go on. 

What a simple lesson that the Lord used his creation to teach us.