THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

There are times in life when we feel that we have given our all.  More often than not, this is only a feeling, not a reality.  Consider the following inspirational story about two youthful-but-sick siblings from California, which, quite literally, has motivated me to reassess my own giving.

Many years ago, when I worked as a transfusion volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liza who was suffering from a dreaded disease and needed blood from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed antibodies needed to combat the illness.  The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.  I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it, if it will save Liza.”

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks.  Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.  He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?”

Being very young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all his blood.

What a love!  This true story causes us to reflect on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  On Calvary (and even before the foundation of this world), Jesus became willing and ready to give His ALL to redeem humankind from the twin scourges of sin and death.  In His own words, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

The question is begged, “How much of ourselves are we willing to give?”  The world in which we live places such heavy demands on our time and energy that sometimes we find it difficult to attend to the most mundane of matters that might bring a smile to the faces of our loved ones.  Think about it.  Husbands, are you too busy, too tired, or just too important to rise up from your chair and carry a glass of water to your thirsty wife?  Or is that just “women’s work?”  Wives, are you too preoccupied with the demands of your day to speak a word or encouragement or correction to your children? 

The truth, plain and simple, is that life goes by so quickly.  One of my Ohio friends, Elder Willie Templeton, often says: “Make it count!”  This attitude is imperative since, according to James, the brother of Jesus, our lives may be likened to a vapor that appears for one fleeting moment, then swiftly fades away. (James 4:14)  Therefore, we must resolve today to perform purposeful and/or random acts of kindness for our families, our friends, and yes, even to the strangers that we meet.  The Word admonishes us that “thereby some have entertained angels unaware.” (Hebrew 13:2)  Sisters and brothers, as you sow compassionate and bountiful seeds, be continually blessed!