The Widow's Offering

Up to 36 hours of work at ACR. 15 credits of classes. Homework for those classes. My life is busy. 

I have been reminded lately of the story of "The Widow's Offering."

"Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, 'The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all.'" 

-Mark 12:41-44 The Message

This story is very powerful because it is linked to the principle of sacrifice. I chose The Message translation because of the way they worded the last sentence. "All the others gave what they'll never miss..." The rich gave something they wouldn't notice was gone. There wasn't a sacrifice. The widow gave her all. Not just what she could afford. In other translations it says, "[the widow] put in everything--all she had to live on." Can you imagine, having the last $5 to your name and no food in the fridge or an empty gas tank, and giving that in the offering at church?

Recently this story has spoken to me in new way not involving money, but rather time. As mentioned I am basically working 60+ hour weeks, which does not include cleaning, meal preparation, or fun. It is work, class, and homework. Needless to say my extra time is pretty much zero. I have found it very difficult to find time for the Lord with this increased busy schedule. 

The reason this passage spoke to me is because of the guilt I was feeling because I wasn't spending at least an hour with the Lord. It is more like worship music while getting ready, bible reading during breakfast, and praying in the car on my way to work. I know guilt is from the Devil, but my character usually demands the best from me. And for so long my best looked very different from what my best is now. This passage helped me recognize that giving that time in the morning is my "measly two cents." It is the the extravagant gift I am giving to God, and I am giving it with my all. Right now I am not rich in free time. I have to sacrifice time working on homework to refill my cup. 

I think that God sees me, and he knows that this time in life is busy for a reason. After hearing God's voice through this passage I know that he sees my time with him in the morning as me sacrificing time where I could simply be thinking about me. If I didn't give that time to God I would unknowingly be shoving God back and back and back. My days go better when I start my day with him. 

I need to remember that God doesn't look down on me and say "That Holli only spends 10 minutes with me, who cares if she is working on her education to equip and train her for the calling I placed on her life and she wants to do it well, and she doesn't need to work to do well with what she has." I think God says, "I'm going to bless Holli because she sets that time aside for me. Not only does she spend time with me in the morning, but she serves me everyday when she goes to class and is interactive with her learning. She's going to be a great social worker. Not to mention she spends time with 4 people I love dearly and helps them in ways that they can't help themselves." I think that latter sounds more like God, don't you? 

So many times I give myself a hard time and allow guilt to arise in my mind when really, I am doing the best with what I have. There is a time for everything, and right now its chaos. BUT I am learning a lot, I am spending time with 4 wonderful women, and I am constantly trying to make time for God. Its a busy life, a busy time, a busy world... but when I'm with God time slows down. 

This is just something I've been dealing with a lot lately and I hope I'm not missing the mark. I always appreciate thoughts on my thoughts and I hope you feel challenged from this word.