Hey all. You know how God calls us to sacrificially give of ourselves to others? Well, for those of you shaking your head, it's true. Giving should cost you something sometimes, otherwise it's not really giving. I've always looked at that meaning money, or time. You know, you can't really afford it, but you know it will help someone you know if you take them to lunch to raise their spirits. Or you know you have to sleep because you're exhausted, but you stay up all night talking with someone who needs you.

It's been one of those sacrificial weeks for me. And I'm not saying that to get a pat on the back, because really I know lots of people do stuff like that (and if you're not, you should be). I just wanted to share that it's not always time or money. Sometimes it really is giving little pieces of you away to make a difference. Not like fingers, though. Pieces of your heart, maybe.

It's been a trying week - I've been super-sick, yes I know, AGAIN (just slow down already, Erica!). We had an overnighter conference with the youth group this weekend. We had Youth Sunday on, you guessed it, Sunday. Those things on their own are exhausting, then you put them altogether and they're almost too much, then throw in the sacrifice thing and you're ready to drop dead. But the things we do when we're at our low points to help others is what really shows people what's in our hearts.

I got a phone call Sunday night from a youth who needed some help. Let me tell you how tempted I was to not answer the phone. It was MY time now, I'm sick, etc. But I talked anyway. And it made a difference. I had to take some time today to do some incredibly painful phone time, and it was the last thing I wanted to do, but I did it. And it will make a difference. Youth Sunday made a difference. The conference this weekend made a difference.

If you're out there reading this and thinking, "I never seem to make a difference to anyone," then maybe you're not being very sacrificial. Because we're not just supposed to sacrifice when it's convenient or fun or easy. Those aren't sacrifices. If you show Christ and give of yourself to others when you're at your lowest lows, you will make a difference. You can't help it.

So ask yourself, are you making a difference? If not, try sacrificing a bit. But not like cows. Or fingers. Or toes. You probably should keep those.