Sacrifice

The best indication of how somebody feels about you is their willingness to sacrifice. Sacrifice isn't doing nice things that are convenient, although that is lovely.

It's doing things for you that aren't quick, convenient, or easy. When somebody has plenty going on in their own life and they sit with you for an hour because they know you're really sad or when somebody makes a homemade treat just because they know you love it, those are big and meaningful ways to show love. When somebody takes a day off from doing a hobby they normally do to specifically spend the time with you or when they ask for your input on a big decision and let you have an equal say, those are empowering things. When somebody does a hobby you like that they don't, it's easy to see that they must really love you.

When somebody lets you talk as long as you need about something that hurts, those are all great ways to sacrifice in a way that shows love. I don't always offer those things to other people, although I try. Sometimes I get busy or don't think about certain things and I don't sacrifice enough to send a clear message of love to my loved ones. This makes it easy for me to understand that people don't mean ill if they don't sacrifice for you. However, many examples of sacrifices I wrote about are things I don't actually experience very often so I'm not well-acquainted with what they feel like but I see some people do those things for others and I like to imagine what it would feel like if it were a regular thing. I have spent a lot of time feeling like something was missing from my life and now I can put my finger on it: sacrifice. Part of it is that I don't want to put anybody out ever so I haven't always allowed others to sacrifice for me.

I know now that without seeing somebody sacrifice for you regularly in some way, it's hard to feel like a priority. It also makes it easier to know that the Savior showed love in the greatest manner because he sacrificed his life. His level of sacrifice makes it impossible to question His love. This is what I've been considering lately.