Stories From the Hood

As Laura stood in the new car display room, waiting for the salesman to do some paper work....

she thought about how expensive the new car was going to be.

She recalled saying that she and her husband would NEVER buy a NEW CAR.

But, then she thought, "We've worked hard, saved all our lives, we're paying cash...we DESERVE this new car!"

Immediately after she THOUGHT that she deserved a new car, she was ashamed....overwhelmingly ashamed.

Because in that quick instant, she thought about others who also DESERVED it, but would never get it:

The check-out man in the dollar store; missing many teeth, always cheerful and helpful...he'd never be able to get a new car, but who is to say he doesn't DESERVE one?

The bank teller, who was so efficient and happy?  She was a single mom trying to just get by.  She had often told Laura about her car troubles and trying to buy a decent used car.  Surely with her hard work, she, too, would DESERVE a new car.

Or, the homeless woman living in her car with her two kids.  She had left an abusive marriage where her husband controlled her every move.  Didn't she DESERVE a new car for all she had suffered?

Laura was humbled.

And, she changed her thinking - not to one of DESERVING - so much as one of CHOOSING to spend her money that way.

It was an eye-opening moment for Laura.....

As she realized she was no more DESERVING than anyone else.

And, ultimately, her challenge was to be more GRATEFUL for her blessings rather than feeling ENTITLED or DESERVING.