WOW! This is powerful!

I heard this from a pastor this afternoon on TV " If I succeed without sacrifice then someone before me made that sacrifice. If I sacrifice and I don't see the reward then someone after me will reap that success." WOW!

The first one is obvious! The sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us! That he was perfect and sinless, but He died that we may live! I know as Christians we hear this all the time, but think about that. He did NOTHING wrong, but was so willing to give up His life for us to reap the rewards of having a relationship with our Heavenly Father and also to have the hope of being in Heaven with Him one day! He made the greatest sacrifice ever and it was all because He loved us.

The second that comes to mind is our troops. Because many years ago men were willing to put their life on the line for our freedom. We all have been rewarded because of what they did. Yes, I know that our country is at war again, but just think of the reward our children will receive because of it. I think we are already seeing some reward. Seven years after our nation being attacked and there has been nothing. I don't think a single soul on this planet would have thought that would have been possible. Because of the many men and women putting their lives on hold for this country I do think we are reaping many benefits. So troops THANK YOU so much for fighting to keep our nation free!

My grandparents made very big sacrifices for their family. Now because of that we don't have those same struggles. My parents have made sacrifices too. We make sacrifices for our children. Because of that we are better. I am so thankful that my grandparents and parents are here to see the reward in their great-grandchildren and their grandchildren.

As a parent, the sacrifice we make for our children. Not sleeping because they are sick during the night, missing out on some grand event because you have children, or not taking a job so you can stay at home with your children, yes its hard but to think of the rewards that will be gained. The joy on their faces to see that mommy is right by their side exploring the world around them. There are moments I think what am I doing? Are my kids ever going to learn right from wrong? Will Jaycee ever learn not to talk in a whining voice or have an attitude because she got sent to timeout. Guess what, today I saw a glimpse of all my talks, timeouts, spankings starting to get through. Jackson came to see what she was doing in the chair. Instead of her throwing a fit because she thought he was going to take her toys, she turned and said, Mommy please come help me save my toys from Bubby. AWE! Those words were music to my ears. Jackson came to me and moved on to other toys. PEACE!

I know that there will be many things that I might never see the rewards of. But knowing that the sacrifices I make will not be neglected by God. He knows and sees all. Someone, somehow, and someway will reap from the rewards. So I will continue to press on as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and as a servant of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I would hate for someone not to reap a reward or succeed because I was too selfish to make a sacrifice!