This summer we did something we have never done. We entered an egg in the county fair. We also entered our asian pear jam. When it comes to produce, in a semi-agricultral neighborhood, to try the first time with a food, is real scary. Anyway, back to the egg entry. Who knew what the competition would be - against a carved egg. After all, we are going after a prize - aren't we?! What kind of prize could you get at a country fair? Probably a ribbon or trophy, or more. I was proud of what I entered. I wanted as big a reward as I could get. How about a 3 foot trophy and an 1" inch notice in the local newspaper. Well, we need to define what a prize is. How much pride can I pump up? Webster says " A reward for victory or superiority, as in a contest."Superiority - I love it! Okay, I'm getting a little ridiculous. There has been a large debate in the United States regarding whether we should reward (give a prize) a victory in a competition. Could someone tell me why we would have 2 people or teams of people do the same thing without deciding who might be better, When we made 3 or 4 batches of jam, it was to get better taste, gel or use less sugar. We "strive" to get better, even if it is to compete against myself. How do we acheive anything without testing against something previous or someone doing the same thing?!" Strive - to exert oneself vigorously, to make strenuous efforts toward a goal, to rival, compete". Isn't there always a goal? To grow better , to advance.
Now, in America at least, we've heard all about "fairness and fair" for at least 3 years. Our President has made it abundantly clear that he wants us to be fair ( or equal) with the rest of the world: that is regress backwards. History has taught me that America has been "striving" to be better, more efficient, and help others "up" to our level. I guess it is our drive to be better, that is our shame.
Now, how long has the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) gang been occuping, 3 months? They protest for
"fairness" or everyone to be fair with ones' wages, talents and possessions. The only time we are all egual is when we enter the world - naked! The Creater puts each one where He wanted us, with the gifts He had given, that is our minds, how they are developed, how our environment shapes us, what interests we bend toward, what needs we see in our society that we can find solutions for. For the OWS gang, and our President who supports them, we'll write another blog about the Tower of Babel.
Back to our fair experience, cutting an egg can be a real challenge. Depending on the detail involved. Every egg is different (just like people) in that I can change the focal point because of color inside, depth of shell or a slip of the bur. I "strive" to be better with every egg - is that a weakness? Come on - let's shoot for the moon!
Well, the fair committee gave us a 3rd place ribbon for the intricately hand carved ostrich egg and second place went to a bird house, I was so disgusted that I didn't look at the 1st place winners entry.
Now, let us be "fair", let us give each and every person a chance to be his/her self. Let them mature in the family they are born in, with the limbs God gave them, with a mind that can choose (at the proper age) in the place in the world God placed them to live and with all the needs of the day to fulfill.
May we enter into the next year( being fair) with less pressure on everyone to be the same. And thank the Lord Jesus Christ for who He has made us.
Ron Schipper
