THE COST OF SACRIFICE

Have you ever made a sacrifice for something or someone you love? Have you ever suffered a loss at great personal sacrifice?

I often think of my grandmother. She had 3 sons fighting in World War II at the same time. Her youngest son was killed by a sniper in the final days of the war, her kindest and handsomest son was shot in the neck and critically wounded and was physically scarred for life. Thankfully her third son returned home unharmed and even though she suffered great sorrow and loss, the war victory ensured freedom for her generation and generations to come. Victory had come at a great price and personal sacrifice.

I also think of my wonderful mama. She had 2 small children to raise alone in the 1950’s. No easy task ever, but in the 50’s there were very few opportunities for women. My sister’s father had been killed during the war and due to unfortunate circumstances she was divorced from my father. My grandmother was newly widowed and in her 60’s when we went to live with her. My mother worked at a sewing mill doing production work. Long weary days with no air conditioning in the summer and the constant pressure to produce volumes of quality work to ensure a paycheck at the end of the week. Times were very difficult and EVERY penny counted just to put food on the table. My mom’s work ethic and commitment to raising her children was born from a heart of great love. She loved me and my sister and was willing to do what was needed to care for us. Her love is and has always been unconditional and even though taking care of us was at great personal sacrifice, she did it willingly without reservation.

Sacrifice is rarely pleasant or pretty but it is always done out of great love. It is a love that is not self-serving or requires any kind of payback and usually shies away from a pat on the back or kudos. True sacrifice is always done in secret but the results are openly spectacular. Opportunities previously unavailable are now common occurrences and unlimited potential abounds…… Sacrifice pays the price.

So I ask again, have you ever made a sacrifice for something or someone you love or have you ever suffered a loss at great personal sacrifice?

I think if you really take a hard look at yourself you will find we are very spoiled ungrateful people these days. We live in an age of self gratification and it is amazing how far we go to justify whatever it is we want to do. We have ventured a great distance from the center of all life and are paying a high price for soiled goods.

Whether you believe it or not, life doesn’t just happen. There really is a God. We did not just evolve out of a lake of muck and goo but were wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of our Creator, the Lord God Almighty. He loves you and He loves me and has made the greatest sacrifice of all times. He paid the highest price that could ever be paid to purchase what is essential for our survival and well being. He has ensured that we will live forever and never perish. We are defined by this free gift purchased out of the supreme sacrifice of His son….JESUS.

Wherever you are in this life, it is never too late to invite Jesus into your heart and become born again. It is the greatest gift you will ever receive. Today is the best day to start life anew.

“For God So Love the World that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16