Offer It Up

My grandfather on my mother's side was the WW2 generation. He had an honorable heart, a classic Irish look in his eyes, and a deep commitment to his family. He passed away in 2004 and I miss him very much. 

He had this phrase that he would offer me over and over again, through the initial pain of growing up, then through my bout with cancer, then early adulthood and, eventually as he went through pain later in his life. "Offer it up". This is what he meant:

Whatever pain you are going through in your life, whether it be physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental - make it about something bigger than you. Offer it up. Offer it for others to benefit from. Offer it up as tribute to make the world better. Offer it up, in his words, to God. 

Make your suffering for something greater than yourself. Make it worthwhile. 

We can see this used over and over by some of the most revered leaders of our time: Malala, Mandela, and so on. 

​The choice is ours. When we suffer, as we know that we will, offer it up. The only way out if through.