Sacrifice… what does it mean to you?

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We all make sacrifices in our lives, don’t we? Today, though, I’ve thought about this word and what it really means. I have family and friends who do amazing things every single day. They sacrifice their time for others, they give freely of their hearts, and they do so much for those in their lives. Sometimes, they don’t realize how big the gift is that they provide for their family members, friends, or colleagues with these selfless acts.

 The definition of sacrifice has all sorts of negative connotations: destruction, loss, to renounce or injure… whoa… not where my thoughts were going with this word at all! No, the phrase that strikes me is this one:

 

“… surrender of something for the sake of something else…”  (Webster’s 10th Collegiate Dictionary)

 

If we sacrifice for the sake of our families, our friends, or, sometimes, even strangers, those bits of time, or giving, or kindnesses become huge gestures of love. I can’t help but think of how those gifts enrich the lives of others.

 To those of you who have given such gifts to others with love in your hearts: be gentle with yourselves. You might not even realize the impact you’ve had on another person’s life through your sacrifice… you might not feel great about the sacrifice you did make… and yet, if you’ve helped another person on their journey through this life, that’s a beautiful, priceless thing.