"Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting
money into the treasury. ... A poor widow came and put in two small copper
coins. ... Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'Truly I tell you,
this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the
treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out
of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
This woman was not wealthy, like the other people around her.
She must have found it a struggle each day to keep food on her table and a roof
over her head.
Women today live in a world driven by speed and busy-ness. We
have convinces ourselves that we have less time, fewer resources, and less
energy. But as the widow approached Jesus that day, she still found the courage
to contribute all she had to God's ministry.
How many of us feel that there is not one more task we can
add to our day? Our time is often more precious to us than any coin, yet when we
limit ourselves by time, we might just miss out on an opportunity for growth.
Perhaps we should say yes when asked to join a Bible study group, take a
moment to participate in an online discussion at Cafè, or start a new
circle at our church.
These all require commitment and time, but the reward is
participating in a community of women who share faith, fellowship, and spiritual
wholeness. The reward is a renewal of our passion, creativity, and energy.
Without making that offering of our precious time and resources, there would be
no story to tell.
Offering Prayer: Dear God, you have provided me with
all I will ever need. May I have the courage to say yes to your call so
that I might do what you would have me do. Amen.
Offering Focus: Your gifts support Cafè, our
online magazine for women ages 18–35, and other programs that reach out to
younger women.
Jenny Michael is an active participant in Women of the
ELCA, busy mother, professional, and current president of the Florida-Bahamas
Synodical Women's Organization.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©
2007 Women of the ELCA. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for use in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America provided the copyright information above appears on every copy with
these words: Used with permission.
For all other purposes
contact Women of the ELCA.