Sacrificial Love

There is a story about a young girl who was coloring a picture. Her teacher asked her what she was drawing. The little girl said, “I’m drawing a picture of God.” “But no one knows what God looks like,” the teacher responded. The little girl looked the teacher in the eye and said firmly, “After I’m done here they will!”

I imagine that’s what God said about Jesus. After I send my Son, they’ll know what I look like. After I’m done here they will know that I am forgiving and compassionate. After I’m done here they will know about love and sacrifice.

There is something about sacrificial giving that resonates deep within us. It reminds us what God has done for us. Today in our country, is Memorial Day. It is a day when we remember the sacrifice others have made on our behalf. May their sacrificial giving invoke gratitude and may it inspire our own sacrificial generosity toward others.

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for the freedom we have here in this country: the freedom to worship you, the freedom to vote, the freedom to live where we want and to choose our careers and relationships. What a blessing! We thank you also for the men and women who have served this country in the military over the years, for their families, and for all those who sacrificed for the sake of others. We pray especially today for veterans, those who need your love and our support. Bring healing and mercy where it is needed. And hasten the day on Earth when wars will cease and your peace will reign. Above all, we thank you for the sacrificial love you give to us in the gift of your Son – who gave his life for us. In response to all our blessings – as individuals and as a nation – show us ways that we can be a blessing to others; for we remember today that you bless us to be a blessing! In Jesus’ name. Amen.