Daily Devotional for March 28, 2022

 
Recently, Shannon ordered fourteen large planters for our raised garden.  Each planter is made of six separate pieces, covered in a thick, blue plastic protective film.
 
Because I am still recovering from surgery, my job was to sit in a chair on the back porch and peal the blue film off each piece as Shannon bolted them together.  That’s when I learned something.
 
The blue film on the sections was almost impossible to remove.  I do not know if some sadistic person used gorilla glue or decided to spotweld it in place, but it took all my strength to remove it.
 
After I finally got the film off the first piece, I said, “If the product reviews had told us how hard it is to get this blue stuff off, we would have never bought these planters.”
 
Shannon, nonchalantly said, “The reviews did talk about how hard it is to get the blue film off, but I bought them anyway.”
 
I immediately picked up my phone and called an attorney in the church.
 
When I told Andrew I wanted to divorce Shannon for buying the planters from hell, he explained he didn’t do family law, and if he did, he would be representing Shannon instead of me.  That kind of hurt my feelings. It wasn’t fair.
 
The bottom line is life is not fair.  It never has been.
 
Sometimes, unethical people get ahead.  Sometimes, cheaters win.  Sometimes, a spouse callously breaks marriage vows.  Sometimes, big countries like Russia, attack their peaceful neighbors, like Ukraine.  Sometimes, the wrong person comes to power.  Sometimes, your wife buys planters, even though the reviews warn not to, and you are stuck for the rest of your life, on the back porch, sitting in a chair, pulling blue film off them.  Sometimes, life is not fair.
 
If you are like me and continually whining about the injustices of life, please hear this.  Life is not fair.  We live in a broken world.  There will always be injustices.
 
Now for the good news.  There will be a day when God sets everything right.  This will be the beautiful day when pain and grief fade into the past and are never heard from again.
 
This is what John meant when he said, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals.  He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes.  Death will be no more, mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:3-5)

One way or another, everyone has a plastic, blue film experience.  Do the best you can with the cards life deals you and leave the heavy lifting to God.

In the end, God will set everything right.  That’s what matters.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me to remember, one day you will fix this broken, fallen world.  Help me always be faithful.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

While it has taken a great deal of effort, pain, and determination, I have decided to forgive Shannon for putting me in such an unfair situation.
  
She is so lucky to have me.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins