TODAY THE WORDS are SACRIFICES, ANYONE?

TODAY THE WORDS are SACRIFICES, ANYONE? What, sacrifice? What is sacrifice? Over the years, especially since the 90’s, we as a society have become a country where we expect more than we are willing to sacrifice for a cause or goal. Oh, yes I am talking about the majority of us. We live in a world if we don’t have the newest I phone, the most stylish vehicle, the most magnificent prom dress, the best sneakers, the biggest home, trips to hair stylists and nail salons, and take the best vacations than anyone else we know; we feel we have sacrificed and been cheated somehow.  To prove this point, I am going to travel back to my childhood (it is getting a longer trip with each birthday, but I am blessed to be here) for a couple of stories of sacrifice and see if anyone reading this post would have been willing to do the same. 

We were a family of 6 with 4 children with only an age difference of 4 1/2 years between all 4 children. We lived in a small house with one bathroom and it was small enough, it would fit in the size of most of the showers today. In the kitchen, there was no taking something from the cabinet and walking it to another part of the kitchen; we just turned around. My Mother worked along with my Father working and we kids had part time jobs and times were rough. In order for all of us children to have shoes, my Mother would put off asking or buying her new shoes. I remember one day when Mom was sitting down for a few minutes and she propped her feet on a small green ottoman. My Dad walked by and looked at the bottom of her shoes and there it was a big hole in the sole. He, of course, wanted to know why she had holes in her shoes and why hadn’t she bought her some shoes. She said, “Arlie, it will be okay, I have cardboard inside and the children had to have shoes for school.” Daddy told her to get up and they left to go buy her a pair of shoes. Instead of being upset about not having a good pair of shoes, she had said nothing; but you should have seen her with her new shoes. She felt like dancing. 

Another story of sacrificing which touched my heart was when a couple were struggling with changes they had no control over with unemployment and found themselves in a very tight place. Someone reached out to them and left an envelope of money which paid an important, life necessity bill and whoever left the money, left no name and no way of seeking publicity for their generosity. It may have not been a monetary sacrifice or it may have left this giver tight themselves. It was a true form of generosity and this couple still give thanks for the envelope left in their mailbox.

Now for the deeper thought……..Sometimes we are asked to reach out and help others and we may hesitate. Are we truly unable to help or are we feeling we might be “sacrificing” a needless want or desire on our parts? If everyone, and I am including myself, would give up one going out to eat once a month and whoever and whatever we need to give to help someone in need; what a difference we as a country would make. Our Christ never hesitated making the ultimate sacrifice for us and gave his life. When asked or better yet, I am proactive to others needs, and if at all possible, I want to give to those less fortunate as I never forget my Mom sitting there with holes in her shoes, not complaining about her sacrificing for her children. Live life; love life; and live life to the fullest by sacrificing something for another!

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.