Better Than I Deserve

There’s a gentleman I see in my daily travels. His job is to keep the complex where I live safe. Rather than saying he is “fine” when I ask him, he replies, “I’m better than I deserve.” He always says it with a smile, letting me know he believes it.

The first time I heard that phrase it really struck me and made me think. It also made me feel better because when I heard it, I had had a particularly rough day. This laborer’s admission made me realize that, despite my struggles, I was in good health that day. I hadn’t been in an automobile accident. I’d had enough to eat and would have enough to eat that evening.
In summary, I too, was doing much “better than I deserved.”

This is in line with the philosophy of Christianity-a system that says that we are all miserably flawed and guilty, but that God withholds His judgment because He looks more at our hearts than He does at our performance. He considers if we are trying to do the right thing, and as we grow, He allows us to be much better than we deserve. He gives us time for improvement.

So, is this you? More importantly, is this your attitude? Are you, like the gentleman at my gate grateful despite your challenges?

If not, now is a good time to count your blessings. Acknowledge them. Speak to God about them; thank Him for them before asking for anything else, because it’s more likely than not you too are doing better than you deserve.