There are so many different sacrifices that we are faced with, that we experience, that we dread, that we do with a joyous heart, and some we endure with faith. My heart aches for Christ who endured unimaginable suffering for our sake. He sacrificed his life so that we might have eternal life. Now that's sacrifice.
Sometimes it's hard to embrace and comprehend the significance of his life and death when it comes to our own spiritual and temporal lives. I know when I think too hard about it my mind starts to tumble into all sorts of directions, but there is one thing that never changes. The spirit that surrounds me as I seriously ponder Christ assures me that his sacrifice was true and that it was done with a sure faith that we might be saved and live again with our Father in Heaven.
I can't imagine what it must have been like for Christ. But I do know that our earthly lives hold many opportunities for us to sacrifice. Sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse. As a parent, sacrifice is essential. Sometimes I call it sacrifice, sometimes I call it picking your battles, and sometimes it's simply taking one for the team.
Marriage is a sacrifice in that from one person you actually become two people. Anything that was once your own, now becomes shared. That goes for family, friends, money, home, children, pets, decisions, toys, jobs...everything. You sacrifice ultimate dominion in exchange for joint decision-making. But with each sacrifice we make there is a trade. For Christ, he sacrificed his life so that we all may live and return to our Heavenly Father. For a man and woman, marriage creates a democratic system. For me, we have a democracy in this house but ultimately, I have a husband whom I count on to make decisions for our family. Some might believe this to be archaic or "setting the women's lib movement back 50 years" but to me it makes perfect sense. I married a man whom I KNOW wants the best for his family, whatever I entrust to him as far as decision-making will be the best choice for us. I know this because he prays for answers he is unsure of, we talk about what we want and need, and he never makes a decision without ensuring I'm on board with it all. Why am I saying all of this?
I'm reflecting on Christ and sacrifice and marriage and parenthood and it seems to me that trust is the cornerstone to it all. Christ trusted that His Father in Heaven had a purpose to all that He endured in His life. Marriage requires trust in your partner, and trust means you never doubt who you are in your partner's eyes. Trust is never having to question motives. Parenting requires trust. I have to trust that I'm doing the right things as a mother, and my girls have to trust that I am always doing things in their best interest. Even when I'm upset or punishing my children they must ALWAYS know in their hearts that I am doing it out of love and respect for them.
Not all sacrifices are good and healthy. Sometimes we sacrifice what is most important to us despite what we know is true and good. We are each victims of this in our own ways, I am sure of it. Often we can sacrifice our morals if there is enough immorality around to drown out the still small voice of the Spirit. Sometimes we sacrifice an opportunity to grow by getting frustrated or angry. And other times we are distracted by shiny, pretty things (both tangible and intangible) that we forget who we are and where we want to go.
Let Christ be our guide in knowing what sacrifices are for the better and which sacrifices will only lead to needless suffering. Move away from those distractions and allow that still small voice to help us along the path in this temporal journey. Heavenly Father knew we'd have sacrifices to make, he knew there would be choices and hardships and trials, he didn't send us here to suffer. He sent us here to grow and learn and he gave us the Spirit to teach us. So, be still, be quiet, and remember how important some sacrifices are and how fruitless others can be.
