Each year, during Holy Week, I spend a lot of time thinking about sacrifice. Not just the sacrifice of God's only son, but also the sacrifices that my family made for me. I was extremely close to my maternal grandparents, who were incredibly faithful. Their faith, and what it instilled in our family, built the foundation of who and where I am today.
Growing up, Easter was my most favorite holiday. As someone that works for the church it shames me to say this, but we didn't grow up in church on Easter Sunday. We spent every other Sunday at church, my mom and grandparents serving in just about every capacity possible in our local church. But, on Easter, we went away with family to our little house in the country.
My grandfather comes from a family of sharecroppers. Eventually a section of that land was left to them. Over time it was divided between my grandfather's 13 brothers and sisters. Many of the siblings either lived on their property or built small family 'getaway' homes. On holiday and summer weekends we grew up riding 3 and 4-wheelers, getting lost on the trails or in the creek, fishing in the stocked tanks, getting muddy, and staying outside all day - with many of our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousins.
While the kids ran and played, the adults spent half of each trip to the country maintaining the houses and property. Without their work, none of these family weekends and holiday gatherings could happen. They mowed the grass, fixed the ATV's, maintained the trails, taught us how to get catfish off the hook, worked on the house, fixed the treehouses, and scattered the wildflower seeds. Their energy on these weekends was on making sure all of the grandkids had this time together. They set the foundation for decades of incredible memories and good times.
We all make sacrifices for others. Some are small, some are big.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NRSV
In context, what my parents and grandparents sacrificed for me is small. But the impact on my life is huge. As a kid, I didn't think twice about all that they did for us. Now, as a parent, I often think about the little and big things we sacrifice for our friends, family, kids.
Good Friday is heavy. The sacrifice made by God is something I'm not sure we can ever comprehend. I hope that during Holy Week you reflect on the sacrifice made by God. I hope you also think through what you've sacrificed (in the name of God, in the name of your family) and what others have sacrificed to get you where you are today.
Written By: Abby Johnson