The Widows Mite
November 10th 2009 -
Image by Fergal OP via Flickr
Many of you know that I am thankfully very close with my parents and will do anything I can to make them happy.
Christmas of 2007 I decided to buy coins for my father. He had collected U.S. mint coins as long as I could remember, and at my age, that's a pretty long time.
Searching ebay, I happened upon some coins that struck a nerve in me. Coins from before and around the time of Christ were available for sale. I had never even considered that.
After some research, ancient Roman coins would be his present. I was almost too excited to wait for Christmas.
After emailing back and forth with the seller about possible books to help with research on these beautiful coins came a note. He had another small coin that I might be interested in called the Widow's Mite. He included this passage:
"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." Mark 12:38-44, Luke 20:45-47
I immediately agreed to purchase this little coin. Of all the coins my father received that day, this was the one that had his eyes (and mine) filled with tears.
I am not overly “religious” as far as organized religion goes. I was instilled with a strong belief system and it had not only been shaken to its very foundation 8 years before, but stripped away entirely.
I sit here today wondering if I will ever be able to top that Christmas gift that brought Jesus back into our lives in 2007.
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Holley
You are creative Holley. I think you could top it, but in a different way, because that result probably has nothing that could come close to it -- let alone top it.
Not very religious myself except with these philosophies and such like them:
My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. --Dalai Lama
My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. --Thomas Paine
The kingdom of God is within you. --Jesus
I love the way you think, MiMi
I feel very much the same way. Thank you!
This was a true gift. The gift of love.
Jesus the teacher was about that as he looked at what his religion had eroded too. Hypocrisy and man made laws, but no preaching of love and selfless living.
The story of the Widow's Mite is a beautiful one indeed.
If more Christians really looked at what Christ lived for and taught, there would be more love in the world.
Alex, that was a beautiful comment. The story sometimes has me asking if I do enough of that. Thank you for the reminder to "be as kind as possible".
Twitter: luvmyludwig
said:
This is beautiful. I have had some struggles with religion myself. I love God, I believe in Jesus, I love people....I have yet to find a church to attend where I was accepted and loved, one without cliques, and judgment.
The story of the widow has always been one of my favorites. I have seen this Bible Story replay in person also. I can't count the times I have seen people help others, giving to them what they needed, and then do without themselves. It is a very touching thing to witness.
I know that gift meant so much to your dad and I'm so glad that it touched you in a meaningful way as well. You are truly a beautiful person both inside and out.
I have always felt the inner glow in you, Crystal, and you amaze me. It's unfortunate that even though we consider ourselves believers in a higher power, we forget to believe in people and allow them the mistakes in life. Some "mistakes" are actually blessings to us, aren't they? I am just as guilty of this. Some need to be gently reminded that none are perfect.
Twitter: luvmyludwig
said:
I think we can all work on that, there is no end to it really. Looking back at what I wrote "I have yet to find a church to attend where I was accepted and loved, one without cliques, and judgment." Others may be judgmental of me, but am I also? It sounds as if I am because I avoid the situation....or is that just protecting myself...but who said doing what is right is comfortable? I'm just rambling, but it really makes me think.
You said "It's unfortunate that even though we consider ourselves believers in a higher power, we forget to believe in people and allow them the mistakes in life." -- If we could all practice a little forgiveness the world would be a much better place wouldn't it? I guess it does all boil down to kindness. Once again, great post
What a fabulous gift and a wonderful memory.
You don't have to top it.