SACRIFICES

My mother-in-law Annette loved candy; she had candy in the candy dish, candy in the refrigerator, candy in her purse, candy everywhere, but during Lent, she gave candy up.  She had been taught in her Catholic religion, that during Lent, you were to sacrifice something that you really enjoyed, and for her, it was candy. 

I would try to tempt her with the sweet smell of chocolate, or the sticky gooiness of caramel, but she never gave in.  She would say “this is something I have to do.”  I admired her determination to give up something that was so precious to her, even if it was only during Lent.

There are times in our lives we have to give things up that are important to us.  The reasons are varied, but it’s usually for our own good, and in many cases, to make our lives better.

I wonder what Jesus thought knowing before it happened, that He was going to give up something very precious to Him, His life!  He was going to die in one of the most painful, gruesome deaths imaginable, and for what?  We weren’t there to see the agony in Jesus's eyes, we didn’t hear the cries of pain, and we didn’t see the tears run down Mary’s eyes, as she watched her son die, and for what?

You know the answer to the question “And for what?”  It was for you, and for me, so that we may live in harmony in Jesus grace and love forever.  Jesus gave His life for us.  What have we to give Him in return?

Hugs and Prayers

Your Ministries Coordinator,

Karen