Lately I've been cringing a lot at TV commercials. First, at the commercials where the wife is portrayed as a genius while the husband is a bumbling idiot (AT&T comes to mind, plus that one where the husband and son are trying to create socks that won't fall down), but lately I've been cringing most at the commercials that assure me that I "deserve" something or other. I first noticed it in those tacky attorney ads: "Been in an auto accident? You deserve to be compensated for your injuries, so call us today."
I deserve compensation? No wonder our nation has an entitlement culture. How much compensation do I deserve? Enough to pay for my medical bills, or should I swallow this line: "You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering."
Hmmm. Who's going to pay me what I "deserve" as a result of suffering through those insufferable commercials?
But the "deserve" line has bled over into other commercials, too. I deserve the best skin care. I deserve the best hair dye. I deserve the finest foods and best hotels (whether or not I can afford them). I deserve, I deserve, I deserve.
And this, right after Thanksgiving? Truth to tell, I'm not grateful for anything I "deserve" because, after all, what I "deserve" is simply my due.
But give me what I don't deserve . . . and then you'll see real gratitude.
I have news for America: we don't deserve anything. We don't deserve the many blessings we enjoy, but we enjoy them anyway. I didn't wire the electrical circuits in my house, I don't purify my water, I don't build the furniture I sit on. I could do nothing if others had not worked at their professions to make a living, and I'm happy to support them by buying their products.
But do I "deserve" those products? No.
My mindset has undoubtedly been colored by the fact that the Greatest Giver of all time gave me mercy and a Savior when I was completely and totally undeserving. My gratitude for that act bleeds over into the other areas of my life.
But listen carefully, and you'll see how we are being told how much we "deserve" in this country. Unless we realize how false that is, we may never dig ourselves out of the ungrateful morass our country finds itself in.
Thanks for letting me sound off.
Stepping off soapbox,
Angie
8 comments:
Stay up on that soapbox, Angie, and keep sounding off! You hit the nail on the head.
I've also been mulling over how self-serving Christianity has become. A couple of songs on the radio really make me cringe. We've made it all about us instead of all about Him.
Well said! I agree 100%. I'm thankful for your soapbox, too!
I'm so thankful that through Jesus we receive grace and not what deserve (Rom.6:23). Wasn't it 'entitlement' thinking that got Adam and Eve in trouble in the beginning? ~TinaMHunt
Angie, The "I deserve it" mentality is rampant among Americans. Thanks for saying what we've been thinking.
I intend to vote with this in mind come next year.
Amen! Visiting another country makes me realize how much we enjoy - our highway system, national parks, street signs. My patients in Jamaica share a room with 30 others, eat some sort of mush three meals a day, and wear clothes discarded by people in the US. Yet they sing, "I am blessed!" My patients here complain if they have to share a room with one other person.
Sound off any time, Angie!
What an excellent post, Angie. Thank you! It's a vicious circle that has caused us to become mired in this entitlement thinking. And it will be our downfall if we don't start to eliminate and eradicate it from our belief systems. It will not be easy to resist, but resist we must. Clyde
Great post! I love it. We don't deserve anything. Actually, what we deserve is a one way ticket to Hell, but thanks to God's love we don't have to accept that. Thanks for the post, it was really inspiring.
You are spot on, Angie. Grateful for you on your soapbox! And to God for grace. Keep spreading the word.
Blessings,
Mary Kay
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