(Good) Friday Thoughts...

As you're no doubt aware, today is...GOOD FRIDAY, and that doesn't just mean that it's the start to another weekend.
It's the start to the end of Holy Week, culminating in the Easter celebration on Sunday.
It's about life...and death...and rebirth.

(and new clothes, Easter eggs and candy for the kids, but let's stay on topic here)
It's about one giving all...and all giving much.
Mom used to have this "quaint" tradition in our house.

On Good Friday, you had to be "quiet" from NOON until 3PM. Now she didn't mean sit in a corner and do nothing...she just meant you don't act like some hellion or banshee for a few hours...no biggie.
That's what coloring books were for.
It was supposed to be the "time" that Christ hung on the cross - 3 hours. And NO meat at all.
It was a "showing some respect" thing, and it taught me a lot.
And we were Methodists!
Later on, I attended special Good Friday services at our church..again a show of respect, and it was a small price to pay for all that I was being allowed to enjoy in life.
Today, many of us are doing something (similar) that we probably thought we'd never do...SACRIFICE.
We buy the "off-brands" at the market, do without that nice house or new car, because the debt incurred would far outweigh any benefit from ownership. We are being frugal...and practical, so we do without.
And, after a spell, we find that we can still make out pretty well for ourselves.
Sure, we might not have the leanest meat at the table, or the newest plasma TV, or even the latest technological marvel.
But we're still doing OK, aren't we?

We might be struggling, but we're still going.

We may slow down, but we will NOT stop.

We may think today really sucks...BUT, there is always tomorrow to work towards.

We become better defined NOT by what we HAVE...but rather WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE DO.
I've always believed that springtime is a time for rebirth.
I look upon it as a time for reflection...and renewal.
And if one were to invoke the religious aspect to this day, one might say it is also about SACRIFICE.
One man sacrificed ALL...for many.
We have men and women (here and abroad) who have sworn an oath, or taken a pledge and devoted themselves to our way of life in America; a life founded by people who knew their place as well as God's place in that life
They sacrifice every day they're on the job...in whatever country they may find themselves.
And they are no more remarkable than you or I.
But what they DO is nothing short OF remarkable. Those who give their all so that we might enjoy our lives are well aware of what it means to sacrifice.
Some have given their very lives in order to preserve ours.
THAT...is truly remarkable.
And such sacrifice, or charity on THEIR behalf, is worthy of our respect and admiration.
We need to understand that as Americans, as people who believe in a "higher authority".
They do what they do because they CHOOSE to.
It may not be the BEST choice...just the RIGHT one for them.
So, any sacrifice on OUR part should never be made with a grudge, or with the attitude of "Do I HAVE to?" because we are ALL expected or compelled at some time in our lives to fulfill this obligation.
That's part of being human.
You can call it compassion, love, devotion...whatever, but it IS within every one of us...has been from the get-go.
We are a charitable people, and we DO know about having to make a sacrifice now and then.
What we can do is make that sacrifice with a good heart, knowing it's for something better.
And should we ever forget to remember this, or the reasoning behind such things, we'd need look no further than back to that cross on the hill of Golgotha...all those years ago.
Be well, take a little time to reflect and to renew your faith and beliefs, have yourselves a very GOOD Friday, a blessed Easter, and, as always...
Stay safe out there, America.