A thought on sacrifice. The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. Sometimes we give those away with ease, no regrets, give to someone who in need more then we are. Other times a sigh would accompany the process of giving up. Certain things are hard to part with, even when we know we should. I believe that each of us have different limits of what they can tear off their heart. What I wonder though, if any act of giving that we do needs to be considered as sacrifice. When we give up something and deep inside wish this would never happened, do we call it - sacrifice? When we share something and expect someone else to share with us back, is this sacrifice? Is there such thing as sacrifice in spiritual sense? I doubt there is. Does love required sacrifice? Can kindness and care for others make someone poorer or lesser of something?
However strange, a thought was inspired by…the religious act. The news show pictures of thousands of Muslims on their Hajj to the Mecca. Having seen these every year, I was never actually interested enough to find out what exactly brings them there. Idle mind of these days took me on the search path, good old friend Google brought the answer. Apparently, tomorrow is the most important holiday in Islam – Eid-Adha – the Holy Day of Sacrifice.
One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superseded all others that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to Allah.
Having few Muslim friends, I’ve found beautiful card to send to them. Simple words from it do seem to have a universal meaning:
Show you care – share