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Make the commitment to live for the ones you love
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Well, school is fully in session again. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? The buses are running, the teachers and students are excited, and “the three R’s” are being taught and learned at a record pace.
There was a point in time when the start of the school year meant very little to me. When my boys were young, my wife was a stay-at-home mom. The boys were not yet in school, so the fact that school was in session meant very little to me.
But then the boys started to school. And soon Mom was back in the classroom as a teacher. Both of my sons have graduated now, but my wife still teaches. And my oldest son is beginning his career as a high school history teacher this year. So for my family, our social life revolves around the school year.
You know, sometimes that is hard. I would really enjoy taking a trip to the north Georgia mountains in the middle of October. There is no prettier place in the entire world when the leaves are turning – at least none that I have experienced. But unless I go alone, this is not a convenient time.
I suppose I could tell me wife that I’m going to Helen, or Dahlonega or Blue Ridge by myself. But would that not be the height of selfishness? Or I could insist that she take personal time off so that we can go. But that is certainly not an easy thing to do. She would have to get a substitute, she would still have to plan her lessons, and it would not be fair to the children.
So I just watch Georgia Traveler on public TV, and then we go over Thanksgiving break. Or we take off for a one-day trip some Saturday (my job keeps me somewhat busy on Sundays).
The thing I’m saying is this: We compromise. We work things out so that they will be convenient for both of us. Each of us sacrifices for the other. And that is how it should be.
Jesus once said to His disciples, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” Most of us say that we would gladly die for our spouse if necessary. But here is a more pertinent question: Will you live for him or her?
It’s easy to say, “I will die for my wife,” because I probably will not be asked to do so. So, will I live for her? Will I put her needs first? Will I be selfless rather than selfish? Those are questions that demand answers.
I hope you will make the commitment to live for your loved ones. Jesus, indeed, did die for us, and for that we are grateful.
But He also lived for us. And He wants us to live for each other. Will you make the commitment to do that?
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