what makes me so special?

listening to npr this afternoon, i heard a short interview with ted hilton. he was pushing a proposition he has written for california that would deny tanf benefits to the children of illegal immigrants, even if those children are themselves citizens of the United States.

i don't want to argue over the complicated and divisive issue of immigration, though i'm sure one could guess my opinion. what frustrated me in the interview was the arrogance and entitlement that the man had. what makes him so special that he is entitled to health care? how does one decide that a human being is not worth helping, simply because they don't possess a united states passport?

in the last few days i've been struck by the fact that there is only a fine line between each one of us and becoming the bum on the street, the single mother, being short on a mortgage payment, or without a job. a few bad decisions, one major catastrophy, and the pieces of your life can quickly come apart.

what makes me so special? the fact is that nothing makes me so special. so today i am thankful for the grace each day that wakes me up and sees me through.