Once again in my life time there is a downturn in the economy. Having lived through several of these, I hate them. And like some of you, what that means for me is the possibility of being unemployed. At the very least it means sacrifice. I have to tighten my belt. As my nephew, who by the way is a great guy, commented, "I'm not paying $4.00 for diesel!" We all have to make that decision.  Are we going to pay the $4.00 per gallon or ride our bikes? It's a sacrificial choice no matter which one you choose.

In my years as a counselor I have assisted individuals and families through all kinds of losses. Death, divorce, ending of relationships, kids going off to college, you name it. All of these losses can be summarized into two categories-the ones that happen to us and the ones we choose. The losses that happen to us are accidents, fate, mother nature, all events we have no control over. Normally these are unexpected and devastating events like the downturn of the economy.

The second loss is a choice I make. I give something up that was in reality never mine to begin with. In spiritual terms it is 'consecration'.  It is my surrendering my desire for a higher calling. It is trust. I'm going to trust that what is going on right now in my life is going to introduce me to some lessons I need to learn. And let me be honest, I don't want to learn about something that requires a sacrifice. I hate to think about having to make a conscious decision to do without, to give something up, or to be in a constant state of "what if". This is where I learn the idea of giving something up that was never mine to begin with.

In these tough times we all make sacrifices and can decide whether this 'loss' is something that has happened to us or know we have to make better choices and give up something that was never ours to begin with. I can be bitter, resentful, anxious, or angry. I can sell out, give up, get out, or fight back. It's my choice. Regardless, I personally need to remember that I'm important, but not essential; I am valuable, but not indispensable. I have only a small part to play but I'm not the lead.

During these times I want so much to be one who lives as an example of consecration- who willingly sacrifices my desire for the benefit of others.

On this Easter weekend I'm thankful for someone who decided to do just that.

rb