Coyans in the Czech Republic

cultivating virtue

compassion

The Gift of the Magi

O. Henry

One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty- seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.
There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.
Read the rest of the story here:
http://www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/Gift_of_the_Magi.html


This is one of my favorite Christmas stories and, tho' Christmas has passed, we read this as part of our study on compassion. Which began a conversation with my daughters regarding sacrifice. Personal sacrifice with no hope of exclusive gain may seem foolish to the head whilst being the wisest move for the heart. What are we willing to give up for the love of another? We sat and thought about this. the girls wrote a list. I had a difficult time thinking of something. My best example of selfless giving is Jesus. Leaving His father, His heavenly home, living on this lowly planet, spat upon, humiliated, beaten and crucified, all for the love of another...mostly unreciprocated. Would I be willing to give up my family, my home and my life for someone who would hardly do the same for me? I sat in front of a blank page for a while. What have I to give up? Usually, worthy sacrifice hurts...at least a little. I am reminded of the widow's mite...

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44

What hurts for me to give? What would be a true sacrifice...really showing love for another? After some thought I realized that it would be time. My time. I would much rather do my own thing, be alone, have my own schedule. My plan of activities. I would rather give money and then go home and not be bothered again. But God has called me to stretch and be uncomfortable in order to grow and become better. He has called me to extend beyond my borders in order to reach more people with His love. So, I have aked Him to show me where I could sacrifice my time for the love of another.