Giving out of poverty

Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." ~Gospel of Luke, Chapter 21, Verses 1-4.

There are a lot of beautiful, meaningful, even life-changing things to say about the above passage.

I don't think my words will be one of them.

I just want to say that I think when we give of ourselves out of poverty, weakness, uncertainty, or inferiority, it is something special and different than when we give of our riches, our talents and our gifts.

This leads me to admit that I am not good with jealousy. I get jealous and envious of anything I want to be and am not, or anything another has and I do not, but want. Not all the time, but lots of times.

I am also awkward, and in addition to this being cute at times, it is also, well, awkward. It makes me doubt myself and hesitate to express love when it is there, to speak up when I should, and often times to shut up when I should.

I doubt myself a lot, but I can also be haughty and think too well of myself.

I am a hypocrite, and I do things I wish I didn't.

I wish I was more brave, and kinder, and more hard working.

But the point of all of this is not to debase myself. I love myself and think myself worthwhile.

The point is just to share some of my imperfections, so that I might make my areas of poverty a source of strength in others.

If you relate to me, I am saying I relate to you too, that we are in this together. If you don't, I am saying I am proud of you for your character and I look up to you.

Don't be afraid to be generous. You are never too rich or too poor to open your arms or your heart.