Jack is studying for his NIMS test. His children are playing Candy Land on the floor near him. They begin to argue about how to play the game. Jack asks them to play nicely or put the game away. Little Mike jumps up and runs to his father all but knocking Jack’s book out of his hands. “Play with us, Daddy”. “Yes” adds Julie, “Please play with us daddy”.

Jack only has a three more days to study and he really wanted to watch the ballgame this afternoon. He was about to say no when he looks at his children. Laying his books aside he sits on the floor to play. “I can study later instead of watching the game”, he thinks to himself. This is one form of sacrifice.

Although there are several definitions of sacrifice they come down to meaning the same thing, a loss sustained in the accomplishment of or as the result of something. A cost, the forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of someone or something considered to have a greater value. A selfless act of kindness or a good deed or a lose for greater gain. It may involved a risk such as injury or death or the loss of valued time with loved ones as is the case with firefighters. Or it could be as simple as losing a minutes on your lunch hour to take the next elevator because you let the wheelchair bound person take the first one.

To me sacrifice isn’t truly given when someone does it grudgingly or expects attention or reward for their actions. Sacrifice is done out of love. The love of a person or a job well done.