A GIFT NOT A SACRIFICE

“For God so loved the world that He gave…”

During the first World War a young French officer was wounded, as a result of the devastating effects of an artillery shell. He was immediately rushed to a field hospital.

Upon arrival the attending physician realized he would have to remove the officer’s right arm. As the young man faded in and out of consciousness, he heard one of the nurses say,

“Oh, what a handsome young officer. Oh, what a sacrifice.”

After the sedation wore off, and the soldier woke up, he found himself lying on a bed under a large canvas tent, along with numerous other wounded military men. Two nurses were standing in the corner of the tent whispering, and he heard the one say to the other,

“Oh, what a fine young officer. Oh, what a sacrifice.”

The nurses were surprised when they realized the soldier had heard them, as he beckoned the duo to come to his bedside.

As the women looked into the Lieutenant’s misty blue eyes, he spoke.

“Let me set the record straight.”

And touching the stub of his right arm, Jacque smiled a half smile, and said,

“This was no sacrifice. This was a gift,” (with the implication that what he had suffered, he had willingly suffered for the country which he loved).

I think we would do well to approach forgiveness the way this young officer approached the loss of his arm.

There are times when we feel those who have wronged us do not deserve forgiveness, and any attempt we make to forgive them seems more like a sacrifice, and less like a gift.

If we can approach forgiveness the way Christ approached the cross, if we could find ourselves giving the gift of forgiveness, I think it would make a tremendous difference in the lives of those who have wronged us, as well as in our own.

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending

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