SACRIFICING

S a c r i f i c i n g

Doing something for someone is not sacrificing. It’s just giving.  When you choose to give up something that is very important to you or the way you live then one can conclude that you really love that person. After all, for whom else would you make such a demanding choice? He or she must be very special.

Giving your life for someone, like Jesus did, is exceptional. There are many other circumstances where individuals give up something for another person that they love––a spouse changes jobs so the other-half can pursue a beloved career or a son or daughter moves to a different city to be with their aging ailing parent. Sadly, the pain for the sacrifice may not be noticed by the person receiving the favor. However, another person’s happiness, is payment enough. Admittedly, today willingness to sacrifice for another is scarce.

For a reader who knows the depth of a character’s loss, the sacrifice can’t help but pull at one’s heart strings.

In part my novel, Baggage burdens. is a narrative of love, of sacrifices not seen by others. Joseph many times places himself in delicate positions to try and make Jill happier. Julie, Jill’s niece, also ends up on thin ice when she helps Jill. Jill’s mother chooses to stand by her drinking husband. Her actions are misunderstood by her children. 

Since Jill doesn’t see herself as worthy of love, never mind being loving, will these sacrificing models teach Jill anything?

Once they take their usual seats on the rocks, Daniel begins, “Shoot. What’s up?” 

“In a big hurry to see Eve?” Joseph grins.

Daniel smiles and nods.

Joseph takes a deep breath. “Your mom and I have been talking about moving into Camrose.” 

“What!” Daniel cuts in. The unrestrained emotional reaction matches Joseph’s expectation. Before Joseph can repeat his statement, an irritated Daniel says, “Hold it. Hold it. It’s not you and Mom. It’s Mom, isn’t it? Honestly?”

Joseph always stressed the importance of being honest with each other to maintain a strong, trusting relationship. It was an expectation he held of Daniel. 

Now the tables are reversed, thinks Joseph regretfully.

“Yes, but I can see—”

Adrenalin shoots him to his feet.

Joseph maintains a calm, instructive voice. “Sit down, Daniel. Please.” 

 Daniel reluctantly sits down.

“First, Daniel, do you think you are the only one inconvenienced by the move? Do you think I really want to move from here?”

“Then why even—”

Joseph’s hand shoots up. “Tell me. You said you love Eve.”

Daniel responds boldly without hesitation. “Yes.”

“And you’d do anything to make her happy?” 

Daniel slumps forward under the weight of his father’s logic.

Haiku capsule:

exacting love gift

another’s happiness first

no gift is too much

Next Blog: 

You Are a Burden