Saturday, June 14, 2008

Favoritism

Ever struggled in your life because of favoritism? I sure have! I'm not sure what got me thinking about it exactly but I remember growing up that it really affected my relationships with my relatives. On one side of the family I was the "golden child." You know--the kid who gets special extra shopping trips and overnight visits and meals out and a car. It was wonder-full and fun except for feeling guilty every time I came home from an outing and feeling as if it just wasn't right that I got so much when others got so little of my Grandmother's love, time, etc.
Then there was the other side of the family...
When we were young (and to this day) I had no idea why were treated as "less." It's not that we didn't get presents when the other grandchildren got presents. We just would get the reject presents--like if we got porcelain dolls my cousins would get glorious, resplendent dolls and I would get crack-head-street-walker doll. Or if they all got care bears I would get 1.99 anteater doll or something like that. It didn't really bother me growing up--I just thought it was strange that my brothers and I were so obviously treated differently than the rest of my cousins. Even if I really liked a present I rec. and told my Grandparents THANKYOU! my present would be down-played and the other presents would be talked up. In front of me. Instantly.
{It's funny the stories that come to mind at 5 a.m. when you can't go back to sleep }
Doesn't favoritism suck?
I look at my precious babies and think there is NO WAY I could love either less--they are both priceless in my eyes. I pray that they are never treated differently by those they love. But it happens--good people show favoritism all the time--it's just easy to do--we're human! I'm so glad that God doesn't show favoritism. We are all judged or forgiven. It's God's Way and it's a good thing.

Romans 2:9-11
9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.

You can read the rest of Romans ch 2 here. (it's a good one!)