Cost of Living

This coming school year at our school we're getting no cost of living wage increase. I have no problem with that. Life as we've known it in this country has changed; it's not going to change back, and we may as well get on with the requisite adjustments.

But I was thinking about the term "cost of living" last night. It struck me that there are a whole lot of costs of living. I thought I'd make a list as a way of exploring the idea. For the privilege of living, here are some of the costs I think we pay:

• the pain of learning the hard way
• broken hearts and relationships
  
• illness, temporary or chronic
• loss of those we love, sometimes because of our own actions
  
• imperfect bodies that get saggy, baggy and flabby
• imperfect minds that get duller and more forgetful
  
• worries for those we love
• dreams deferred or denied
• disappointments
• aches and pains
• fear
• loneliness
• regrets
  

When all is said and done, and no other alternatives being available, I'll pay the costs. The benefits of living still outweigh them.

As a believer, that reminds me of the words of a song I used to hear when I was younger, words that become more meaningful through the years as they speak to me of the hope I possess:

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race 'til we see Christ.