inheritance

Hubby was driving the boys home the other day when Number Two blurted out: "Dad, when you die, I get the truck."

No sympathy, no sadness - just a simple inheritance request. Here's what I want when you die. Think my parents would be a little offended if I approached them like that.

Number One was also in the vehicle and he retorted with: "Well actually, it says in the Bible that the firstborn gets all the property and stuff, so I'd get the truck!"

Hubby didn't quite know what to do with either comment, except laugh.

It got me thinking about what we often want as our own inheritance. We sometimes even expect that we'll get it. We want or demand good health, wealth, love from family and friends, an easy life and no personality conflicts. When we don't get what we think we're entitled to, we sometimes get a bit cranky.

"I'm a good person! I deserve this! Why should I have to suffer? Why is my life harder than Joe Blow and he's a much worse person than I am?"

Life is hard. Life isn't fair. We can ask for things all we want, but it doesn't necessarily mean we'll get them. And, if we do, it doesn't mean at all that we deserve them.

I don't deserve a respite from tragedy any more than my son deserves to inherit a used Toyota Tundra. It may happen; it may not. The point is whether or not we're grateful for what we have and grateful for what we have to endure.

I'd still take the truck over some parts of my life though.