" God knows. He understands why sacrifice is so hard for you - for all of us, really, for isn't that why it is called a sacrifice? If it was an easy thing to give our best - the best of our flock, the first of our harvest, not knowing if there will be more - and to give our thanks when we are not thankful, then where would the sacrifice be? "

― Jill Eileen Smith , Redeeming Grace: Ruth's Story (Daughters of the Promised Land, #3)