This Morning Over Coffee

We had finished up today's visit regarding the initial stages of conversation. We then started rambling into another area; sacrifice for learning. Which lead to sacrificing for Jesus. Out of curiosity, I asked what he would give up in order to follow Jesus. While sitting, pondering the question, I suggested the family business.

"Oh yes, absolutely," was his quick reply.

I commented that his response was rather fast and that it could not have been that great of a sacrifice. Anything else perhaps? What would real sacrifice be for him.

He thought again, very hard. Suddenly it looked as if he had been hit in the stomach. His face collapsed and he inhaled a mighty breath. I'd never witnessed such a vivid response to an introspective question.

Slowly he turned and looked at me, "I would give up my dreams."

What total submission could there possible be. He was giving his future inside self, all he was learning, hoping, planning for, building on, the totality of him--his dreams.

He breathed again and sat quietly. Then a smile came from within his face and infected the skin. He was beaming. And free.

He told me that he had been very afraid as soon as he said that he would give up his dreams and then he felt peace. Those are his exact words.