"Thank you for your sacrifice."
i've had a few people say this to me and usually my response is a smile or a confident, "of course", but this time i sat almost paralyzed in my seat, asking myself "What have i really sacrificed?"
We went to have tea time with a woman from the church as she insisted us to come over and enjoy some time with her, so of course we said, "Yes, we'd love to come."
Her house is beautiful with a very peaceful, homie presence. On the table were tea and yummy goodies prepared and she sits down with us to tell her story. She tells us how two years ago her husband left her to be with a Muslim Malay woman yet continues to call ever so often and pay for the bills, but makes the choice to be married to both her and this Muslim woman. Sister Glory tells us G-d has given her a promise that her husband will return to her and that He will restore her marriage, but the pain and the process of waiting for that has equalled more tears and indescribable pain. She faithfully prays for this man, faithfully she cries out to G-d on His behalf, not only for their marriage but for His eternity.
She said over and over again, "I believe the promises that G-d has given me, that He will restore my marriage and bring my husband back to me."
i sat their stunned because to be honest, i don't know if i would stay. After two known and possible more alleged years of adultery, she is willing to take Him back, forgive him, and love him.
What great faith that G-d will restore their marriage.
What great forgiveness that she would let him come back.
And then she looks at me and says, "Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for coming here and helping us, people listen to you when they don't listen to us.
I don't have any friends so it is always so nice to have people like you that come and sit and listen and spend time. You have helped and encouraged me, you bring me hope."
What sacrifice have i ever given that was not worth someone feeling the love of G-d?
Every single one was worth it.
"Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),
And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith."
[Philippians 3:8-9 (amplified version)]
