Photo by Laurentiu Lordache
Thought for the Week
Today is Memorial Day in my country. As with Remembrance Day and related days in other countries, it’s set aside to honor those who’ve sacrificed their lives in service to others. But why do people make such sacrifices? Many have written on the subject, and the one recurring motive is love. So when you see a parade, or a decorated headstone, or a red poppy on a lapel, don’t just think about sacrifice. Think about love.
“My father told me once that the most important thing every man should know is what he would die for.”
~Tana French
“Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you’re not really losing it. You’re just passing it on to someone else.”
~Mitch Albom
“Love is sacrifice. Love sacrifices itself for its neighbor.”
~Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
“I’m willing to walk in darkness if it keeps humans in the light.”
~Victoria Schwab
“Find a purpose to serve, not a lifestyle to live.”
~Criss Jami
“When you know who matters most to you, giving things up, even yourself, doesn’t really feel like a sacrifice.”
~Kiera Cass
“Greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down their life for their friends.” ~John 15:13
Mitch Teemley 
I’ll never forget.
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I was always taught that sacrifice was to give up something of great value to you for something of equal or greater value to others.
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Good definition.
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Beautiful post. Not a day goes by I don’t think about my brothers that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
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Understandable, Tony.
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Peaceful Memorial Day to you all!
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There are many ways to make meaningful sacrifices. Giving up our “right” to bear assault weapons as young people would be a most meaningful sacrifice. Willingness to take up arms in the cause of love might be admirable, but willingness to lay down arms at this moment may be an even more loving sacrifice.
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This is one of a hand full if poems that my eighth grade English teacher, Mrs. Lenora Mintz, had me memorize. Thanks to her for the poetry and to you for that memory.
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Three young uncles: Dale (22), Danny (21), and Junior (20) Wilson. Thank you for remembering three brothers lost during WWII.
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A heavy loss, Joy. Remembering them in prayer.
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Thank you, Mitch. I’m thankful to be the one to write their mother’s story, my Grandma Leora, who was widowed shortly after the war and lived another four decades as a caretaker for her own widowed mother and as a delightful grandmother!
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Least we forget… It is called ANZAC day in New Zealand & Australia, and is held on the 25 April.
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Excellent choice of quotes.
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john 15:11 missing verse 13 quoted
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It’s not a math problem. I really don’t understand when you write things like this, Rudy.
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i know it’s not, they go by the television stations, besides both verses are on love & joy.
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Thank you for these reminders of greater love than His.
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