By Janene Dubbeld
The concept of giving sacrificially has its roots deeply embedded in the foundation of our nation. The sacrifices of the blood, sweat, prayers and tears of our forefathers are why we partake in the blessings our country is privileged to know. It didn’t just “happen.” Men and women paved the way by their sacrificial giving. Giving of their time, resources, and their expertise—whatever it took to set this country on a path of freedom—that’s what they were willing to give.
The hope for a “better tomorrow” often begins with the sacrifices of today. It isn’t sitting back and taking it easy that produces the victory in any warfare. We are blessed—now we must fight to pass the blessing on—the blessing of the freedom to worship the One true God; the freedom to educate our children in truth; the freedom to follow His pathway of life.
Christian education is something our family has been committed to for decades. My parents were committed to sacrificing whatever it took to keep me personally receiving a Christian education. My husband’s parents were also sacrificially committed. When it became necessary, my mother-in-law began helping in the school as a teacher’s aid so her children could continue in Christian education.
They understood the importance of the minds of their children. Certainly they lived “in” this world, and knew their children would as well. However, they desired to teach them truth—knowing that saturating them with truth would help them recognize quickly the counterfeit of false.
The freedom to educate our children has many sacrificial partners. Not only is it seen through the giving of parents, but teachers as well. At Parkway Christian Academy, we have a wonderful second grade teacher by the name of Martha Spencer. She readily imparts a professional appearance, and welcoming smile to those she meets. Her position at PCA didn’t just “happen.” She wasn’t looking for a teaching job—she already had one—one with more salary, more benefits, and one that she loved.
Then God began speaking to her and her husband about a change—a change which would enable her own boys to attend a Christian school, as well as allow her to use her gift of teaching in the Christian School arena. However, it would not be done without sacrifice. Along with more salary and benefits she enjoyed at her position at that time, she had many more human resources at her fingertips, and was able to order at the system’s expense any supplies she felt were needed. They didn’t have to purchase uniforms or books for their children as they do now. This change would cost.
“For me,” Spencer says, “giving up the security and continuity of my schools and position was a big thing. I was not seeking a change, so God really called me out of a comfortable place into the unknown.”
Yet, the family was willing to sacrifice because they knew this was what the Lord wanted them to do. After this year, she and her husband were thinking and sharing together what sacrifices they had made. She said that after each area they discussed, they followed each idea by saying, “this really does not feel like a sacrifice.” She closed by saying, “Yes, there may be moments from time to time when the ‘sacrifice’ is felt, but they are simply moments, not lingering, because this was God’s plan for us and we obeyed Him. He has given us so much more than we have ‘given up.’”
The reality of sacrifice does have a cost, but with the prize of the minds of our children at stake, is there a cost too high?
Volume 2 Issue 4 - The Renewanation Review
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