Sacrificial Love

Lord, if I became any happier, I think I'd burst! I wonder if it's possible to be any happier... But somehow, I know this is only a fraction of the happiness You're going to let me feel.

This last night, I had the great, great, GREAT joy of wrapping piles and piles of Christmas presents into the wee hours of the morning with my wonderful co-RAs. Wrapping paper was strewn about the room, tape was flying through the air, and the scissors were somehow always lost. Smiles were plastered on the faces of every person that was secretly locked in the RA office. There was great and giddy anticipation of the sneaky Santa-esque loveliness going on behind those office doors. Every care in the world was left outside, and like our friend Buddy the Elf taught so well, we spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear.

And then morning came. My alarm sounded at 4:44am and I shot out of bed, not remembering why I had to wake up so early. Then it hit me and a smile spread across my face. I snuck out of bed and tried not to disturb the sleeping beauty that was resting on the bunk below me, lazily and crookedly stumbled into the hallway, and went down stairs to get ready for all of Muffitt Hall to meet Christmas ten days early. We sleepily scrambled around getting the lounge ready for our girls, made sticky buns, and wassail. Then 5:25 came. The. Best. Part. Of. The. Night.

I woke Claire up and we snuck out of the room, put a radio in the hallway, and blasted Christmasy goodness into the sleeping ears of our residents. Then we snuck into each girl's bed and woke them up with a big big smile, reminding them of the wonderfulness that was going to happen downstairs. We were met with a wide variety of responses. Nearly every girl was just as excited as we were (which was, ahem, A LOT), but there were a few who needed a little...uh...help. So, like giddy little girls, my room mate and I coaxed each girl out of bed and down stairs. I loved, loved, loved being a part of something so wonderful, and even better, sacrificing something I "needed" to make another smile.

You see, it's easy to love when all the cards are lined up, when everything's going good, and when you're needs are met. But when you have to sacrifice something of your own to love another, that's when it gets hard--but really, that's the greatest love of all. I got to choose to love today, and I'm really glad I did. :) :) :)

Every single day, I tell myself that it is impossible for me to be any happier. Then tomorrow comes, and defeats yesterday with an even richer, sweeter, greater happiness.

Wowza.

God. Is. Good.

Bottom line.

Praise God...