Privileged

I've always known I was privileged.

My parents had a healthy, stable marriage. They let me know I was loved and I loved all my brothers and sisters and still do, too. Even my extended family valued each other, and I grew up knowing and (mostly) getting along with about all of my cousins, uncles, and aunts. How many people can say that?

Dad had a stable job that paid well and we had whatever we needed. The answer was often "no" to wants, but we knew that if there was ever a need it would be met. It's not like our wants weren't frequently met, either. They were often shares, used, hand-me-downs,  picked up from garage sales, and/or earned through work.  Pop made enough I could perform odd jobs like mowing or bathing the dog for cash. My sisters were responsible enough for an allowance, and I ended up with one because of them ($2/week). It probably helped me learn to save (though that could have been from the twins, too. They used to save up forever and pool their money).

At 16, I was provided with a car and encouraged to work or go to summer school. I didn't want to go to school, so there was only one choice. The car was 11 years old and had 200k+ miles on it, but it worked. When it broke down, it was replaced with a car of similar value that lasted much longer. It got me to my summer camp job which was an unpaid internship I got, because my parents had paid to send me to camp the year before.

And I was healthy. I'm not the best in any category, but I'm plenty capable and was born a natural red. I was slow to grow and had horrible acne, but, again, my parents took me to a dermatologist and there was always food in the house.

Plus, I'm male. That has it's own set of challenges, but it also has it's privileges. A teacher I worked with once put it eloquently. "When your kid's a boy you have to worry about one penis. When your kid's a girl you have to worry about every penis!" She had boys. Read into that what you will. The 'aloof' or 'unaware' male card/stereotype has kept me out of a lot of inter-teacher drama over my adult years, too.

Then there was my faith in Jesus. I have hope and I have known hope for as long as I can remember. My parents both believed and tried to practice what they preached. They took me to church, gave me a bible, and told me God cared. Troubles came, but I knew who to rely on. Not always on the first, or second, or even third try, mind you, but I don't look back and feel anything was overly scarring. I have my stories, but am controlled by none. If anything, the hurts and hang-ups helped me grow.

God saw fit to reveal my privileges to me from an early age through situations and people around me. We met my best friend's family through a health tragedy. In Texas, I learned it was a bad idea to look like a rich kid. I've had friends whose families have gone through divorce, loss, sickness, and strife. Yet somehow my own family unit never seemed to get shaken beyond what we could handle. Nana often brought more people into our house whenever they had trouble!

Volunteering and teaching have shed even more light on how privileged I was. I've walked into home situations that many can't fathom, and met people who have it rough.

And I've never stopped having my eyes opened. I thought I was cognizant back when I was 10, but I didn't know the half of it. For example, my parents didn't become respite foster care providers until I was married. They have shared some heartbreaking stories. If you think you've "heard it all," I would be you still have the capacity to be surprised by what some people go through.

I could go on and on and I haven't even brought race into the equation. And yes, it is a privilege to be white in America today even though many want to deny that. There are times as a teacher I've wished I was Black or Hispanic or from somewhere else so I could relate and empathize with a student more. I'm not, but that's okay, too. I was made to be me for a reason.

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (part of Luke 12:48).

Or if you're more into comic books:

"With great power privilege comes great responsibility." (Uncle Ben)

Both apply to me. I hope Shane will realize it applies to him one day.

And honestly, if you have the access and ability to read this, it probably applies to you, too.

Healthy food for thought.

May God enable me to live up to His demands. Privileged as I am, I can't do it on my own. I can't even write some of my own basic thoughts without it sounding sanctimonious (Not that I'm going to take them back...once on the internet, they're out of my control). Anyway, I need all the help I can get from above and I'm not afraid to admit it.