Gratitude

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’ Luke 21:1-4 

When I remember this story of the widow's mite from Sunday School, I recall an image of an ancient woman, bent over, looking as if her life was ended. And I remember my mother telling me about all her friends who were widows after the Second World War. Thousands and thousands of young women with young children, all on their own. Many of those women have passed, and lived full lives with new spouses and children, but many didn't. If we imagine a young, vibrant woman instead of an old woman, how much does this change our perspective. She would have every right to keep what she had so she could feed her babies. None of us would criticize her. Yet despite all of her troubles and fears, she was grateful to God sharing her little in thanksgiving for God's love in her life. We don't know why she did, but we know Jesus saw it and honored her. He said she had done more than all the wealthy, haughty folks who criticized her, and we remember her to this day because of what she has done. May we all be grateful, even in these challenging times, so our hearts can be filled with God's love for the whole world.

Gracious Creator, source of all we have

you made us in your splendid image

and we are all your beloved children.

The wealthy scoff at the suffering poor

believing they made their wealth and fame

yet you draw close to the lost and broken.

Help us Lord to be grateful in these times

let us give from our hearts in joy and sorrow

so the world might see you drawing close now. Amen.