Being the Favorite

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

You shall appoint judges and officials throughout your tribes, in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall render just decisions for the people. You must not distort justice; you must not show partiality; and you must not accept bribes, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of those who are in the right. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 16:18-20 NRSV

If you have siblings you've wondered it. If you have multiple children, you’ve been asked about it or thought about it: which one is the favorite?

Which one is the favorite that gets a little more leniency, a little more patience, a little more trust from you? 

I have four kids and it baffles people when I say that each kid is my favorite depending on the day and the situation at hand. It baffles people because even though we all wonder about it we don’t ever say it. The thing is, none of us is good at not showing partiality.  Only God can do that. Only God does that!

Holy and just God, please remind us that we are not the ones who get to decide who deserves more love. Remind us that our hearts have the ability to grow with love when we are willing to share it with all your children. Amen.

Rev. Samantha Houser

Zion United Church of Christ

Waukon, Iowa