The Widow's Mite

"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 that 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."
I have always loved this short, yet meaningful story in the New Testament. Always. Since I first read it in high school.
I watched my parents play the role of the widow. I watched them "cast more into the treasury."
Not just in money, but in everything. They cast in all they had.
My teenage actions may not have reflected at the time, but a small fire ignited within me. I decided "Give Said the Little Stream" was my favorite primary song and I have never gotten through "Because I Have Been Given Much" with dry eyes.
I knew then I was blessed and it was my responsibility to make sure others lives are blessed too.

Even if it took my 2 mites.

My patriarchal blessing tells me "You will know the meaning of sacrifice in your life." It's the only part that I remember from when I actually received the blessing.
In high school, I would lay awake at night and run scenes through my mind of a small home, worn clothes and a mom awake late to sew dance costumes or can peaches and then write the tithing check...anything for my children and my Lord.

Even all my living.
I was sure I would raise a family on a very tight budget. I was well prepared.

Then I met John.

My future has not turned out like I thought (I say that with a smile), but the widow and her mites have still played their part.

I still lay in bed at night and think of her...old and crippled. Stooped and waddling to the treasury with a hand on her hunched back. Children off building their own lives. Husband in Heaven and terribly missed. And those thoughts turn to prayers "Help me be like her."

Then....
I saw this hanging in an art gallery. Painted by Liz Lemon Swindle. I stared. No hunched back. Not crippled or even old.

It was me. The woman I dreamed I could be when I was just a teenager. Giving all her living. Knowing the Lord would provide.

I stared longer. It was my mom, my sister, my grandma, all the women in my life who have exemplified this to me. The tears came slow and hot and I wiped them quickly. I gained composure and turned to John. "I want this"

And he bought it for me...
It's framed so perfectly with gold writing that says "For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had."

My life is ever changing, but the widow is always there to remind me that I have been given much and I too must give.

Help me be like her.