On my 21st birthday, my parents bought me a new cellphone. At my party, I announced to my friends, “I deserve this phone!” In my heart, I knew I deserved it. My old phone was busted, outdated and I had patiently waited for a new one.

Immediately after my announcement, one of my friends quietly asked me, “What makes you deserve that or anything for that matter?”

That was over 4 years ago. And the question still remains.

Instead of a phone, I currently feel as if I deserve to be madly, deeply in love.

And the reasons for why I deserve it are pretty similar. Being single is old, outdated and I’ve waited patiently.

Feeling deserving of something is usually one of two things: a sign of healthy esteem or a sign of inflated perception of self.

Sure, it would be great if I fall madly, deeply in love with someone. But what if that never happens. That’s where the pit of deserving presents itself.

We can get so wrapped up in thinking about what we deserve that if we don’t get what we “deserve” we end up feeling undeserving.

So I’ll leave you with my new favorite hashtag #takeheedlestyefall (it narrowly topped #dontbelievemejuswatch).

Take heed, take inventory, take examination of those things we feel deserving of and examine your heart.

Because often times the blessings and excitement in our lives have little to do with what we deserve and all to do with God’s grace and favor.

Hope this helps!

Ambini