Why the perfect Christmas hurts so much.

I share (nearly) all my friends with my parents. I know it sounds weird, but I promise its the most beautiful thing. Many of my friends and I grew up with in youth group. Some of the earliest memories include being the quite skinny kid that got tripped by the pretty girl in youth group while roller blading at Rinx, pondering why a friend would wear such an ugly maroon sweater/jacket-thing so proudly, and getting sacked “in the heart” at the yell of “BANGKOK!” I remember talking to my friend-turned-big-sister about how to break up with my girlfriend at the time… her real sister. These mishmash stories, time, and commitment has forged the type of friend/family I haven’t seen anywhere else.

When I was experiencing the love and connection of all my family (the christmas gifts, the usage of the car, the bubble teas, the competitive games over Risk) I knew I was setting myself up for a difficult leave. Evidenced in the two public and two private crying sessions I had the morning of my departure, this was the hardest exit yet.

3 Thoughts on Sacrifice

1. It hurts

It has to. By definition it has to hurt, even just a little bit. But the pain of sacrifice doesn’t mean it’s bad.

2. It creates hope

We choose to sacrifice because we see a projection of our future that we aren’t happy with. In our foresight, we put ourselves under some pressure in the present in hopes of a better tomorrow. Let the hardship create a hope in us. We are not powerless to accept a dismal future we do not want.

3. It is worth it

Perhaps we only know this only after our hopes are actualized, but based on past hopes fulfilled, deduce that the current sacrifice is worth it. We all have the challenge of keeping our hopes at the forefront of our actions.

Why this too will be worth it

1. I want to be my best for the people I love the most.
2. This journey has already paid dividends.
3. I hold a belief that God will always be faithful.

To my family, I love you dearly.