Sometimes life presents us
with seemingly impossible tasks
and insurmountable challenges,
so demanding,
that we don’t really know where to begin,
much less if we can respond or live up to them,
or even if we will be able
to hold on to the very end.
Sometimes life presents us
with seemingly huge sacrifices,
that more often than not,
come dressed in tragedy and pain.
Those moments test our entire self
and every task expected of us,
is tough, trying, unsavory, even filthy,
to execute and endure.
These calls of duty
present themselves to us
as very difficult sacrifices,
ones where every inch and instinct
of our ego and selfishness,
rejects and easily finds excuses
to avoid even start, anything at all.
This may include the people close to us,
that cannot take care of themselves
or are handicapped, even terminally ill,
need assistance day in and day out,
and for a while, for long
or for the remainder of their lives,
they are entirely in our hands.
Then there are those,
that are deprived of their freedom,
depending or relying
on our love, strength and support
as we depend of theirs.
There are also,
those that are hungry and homeless,
or those in need of guidance, mentoring,
tutoring, coaching or life lessons,
and yet
none have anything to offer us,
in the way of material things.
These are some of those moments,
when life and God,
come calling to test us on,
How good are we deep inside?
What is our quality and worthiness as human beings?
What is our heart really made of?
How ready are we to sacrifice and give much
without truly expecting anything in return.
In reality,
these are just small sacrifices
and in a way gifts,
that are asked and required of us
in return for all of those
that we receive and have received in the past.
Sometimes life presents us
with seemingly huge sacrifices,
that are not such,
as they are opportunities
for us to pay forward,
the greatest gift of all,
one already given to us in kind,
“the Gift of Life.”