Sacrifices…
As I was walking around outlets and the mall today looking for deals on a suit, I thought to myself, "I wonder how many people, including myself thought to remember those who have fallen and those who are currently sacrificing their very lives so that we can enjoy the benefits of peace?"
The other thought that came to mind was when we actually found a suit. My best friends and I were shopping around because one of my friends is getting married later this fall. We wanted to try and coordinate our attire, thus going out together today to find some deals on this Memorial Day weekend. There were some pretty good deals at the outlet, but no suits. But we did happen to fall on one suit that seemed to fancy us all.
The problem, it costs $800. That wasn't exactly the budget everyone had in mind. Besides, we are just groomsmen, we don't have to look THAT good.
We bought them knowing that we could return them if we couldn't find anything else since there was a limited supply on that particular suit. It also gives us incentive to go find a more manageable suit that fits our budget.
But as I was heading home today, another thought came to mind. My dad got married about the same age as I am now. "How much did he shell out for a wedding much less a suit and how much disposable income did they even have back then?"
My parents came to the states with a few hundred dollars, a prayer, and a mattress to sleep on. We still have that mattress, but we live in a wonderful home now. In comparison, my disposable income far exceeds anything that my parents could have imagined for themselves--and when I look at our lives we all live much better than our parents did back then.
I don't believe it is the job or responsibility for each generation to set a better financial foundation for the next. I am incredibly thankful that I can shoulder off of the sacrifices my parents have made. I believe we should be fiscally responsible and give as much as we can.
But what would you sacrifice so that the next generation would love God more?
