“Life is not fair, and then you die”

What makes me comfortable?  I love the cool weather and putting on jeans, thick socks and a hoodie.  I love sitting around a camp fire that is just a little too big.  I love feeling a part when the Royals when a baseball game.  I love eating Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes w/gravy, Corn, and Mac n’ cheese at Cracker Barrel when the fire is stoked.  I love hanging out and playing catch with my brothers.  I love meeting with my pastors every Monday.  I love dates with my wife.  I love eating dinner with my wife and girls.  I love going to soccer games and being a fan of my daughters.  I love being “Daddy”.  I can think of a million things that make me comfortable.  There is one thing on Earth that I don’t like…Being Uncomfortable.

Since accepting the call to become a Foster/Adoptive parent it seems as though life has just become very uncomfortable.  We continue to question what God has really called us to do.  We wonder why God would pick us to do such difficult yet sometimes rewarding tasks.  We spend hours on end preparing our home and our children for what may come our way.  We are taking one night away from parenting our own children just to learn how to be parents.  Hmm, that doesn’t seem right, but it is.  We are signing up for the State of Missouri to watch us instead of let us be?  How weird is that?  My wife and I sit around and talk about how it all just seems to not add up.  Then, I always remember that verse in the bible that says God only has plans to prosper us not to harm us. 

I don’t exactly think this process will harm us, I more just wonder “why us”.  I don’t even see myself as this person that has the capability to do such a thing.  I tend to want to stay inside my Comfort Zone.  Don’t most people?  The words themselves make us comfortable don’t they?  Well, I guess when the comfort zone comes up in church everyone gets a little shifty in their chairs.  I have heard many things about our comfort zones but my wife reminded me of something about them lately.  It goes something like this… “Comfort equals accepting the status quo.  If you don’t aspire to anything more, then go ahead and be comfortable.   Uncomfortable leads to growth.  It’s scary and may be painful, but pain is temporary.  Your achievements are forever.”

With those kinds of words it sounds like going outside of our comfort zones allows us to really be rewarded.  I’m a tough guy.  I can handle a little bit of pain, right?  My dad used to say “Life is not fair, and then you die”.  That says a lot.  Is it fair that children are out there suffering from abuse, neglect or not getting the things that they need?  Is it fair that I have to leave the comfort of my lifestyle with my biological children and bring who-knows-what into it?  Is it fair that we can live life to its fullest, doing what we want when we want it when there are others that can’t even do it on their own?  Nope, Nope and NOPE!  We have to do what we can to help the ones that can’t.  We have to go outside our comfort zones to grow.  We have to trust that God knows what he is doing.  I can’t do it alone.  My wife can’t do it alone.  You can’t do it alone.   We HAVE to go outside our comfort zones.

So whether it is being wearing a full suit on a 100 degree day in the humidity filled, nasty, Kansas City air on your way to a job interview or becoming a foster/adoptive parent, just know that you are not the only one being uncomfortable.  Uncomfortable is only temporary, until you become comfortable with it.  Step outside your comfort zone and grow.  Grow as a person, a mom, a dad, or a/n (insert job title here).  Just grow.