Today’s blessings come at the cost of yesterday’s sacrifices. And words fail to express the deep gratitude we owe those who gave their blood, sweat, and tears to give us the life we now enjoy. But perhaps living gratitude is the best way to say thanks – living a life that honors the sacrifices.
Parents give of themselves in countless ways for their children. And they freely make these sacrifices to provide their children with the best life possible.
Members of the Armed Forces sign up to risk their personal hopes, dreams, and very life to protect their nation. And many have made the ultimate sacrifice to give us the rights and liberties we now enjoy.
And Christ himself endured the cross and was crucified so that we might share in his glory and participate intimately with him in God’s grand story.
Certainly it’s good to pause and remember the sacrifices made on our behalf. But mere acknowledgment falls far short of the gratitude owed.
These sacrifices were not simply for us to remember, but for us to live lives to the full. And this is how we honor what was done for us.
For instance, this might mean standing on the shoulders of our parents and fulfilling the potential they worked hard to give us. Or using our rights and liberties as citizens responsibly – doing our part to build more humane, beautiful, and just communities.
We might also fully embrace our glory as the true sons of God and faithfully shine as beacons of light in a dark world.
In the end, we dishonor the cost paid when we waste the life given to us.
Show your gratitude by living a life worthy of the sacrifices made.
Photo by Eliel Thomaz on Unsplash
