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Then he called his disciples to him, and said to them, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. |
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For all of them contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” |
Mark 12: 43-44
(She) put in everything
Lord my arm muscles ache.
My hands overloaded with carrying the things I cling to so desperately.
My heart can’t flow, jammed with worries and cares.
My head congested with past regrets and future imaginative circumstances.
My heart wants to let go and run to You with empty outstretched palms but my head screams, “Wait… what if…”
This woman in the Gospel today, Lord. She gave You everything.
Everything.
She gave out of her poverty of money when I struggle with my poverty of spirit.
Yet You tell me You live within me.
You are my Storehouse, my Provider.
You are the Shepherd to this little lamb and sheep are not burden carrying creatures.
You gently help me lay down my burdens that weigh me down.
You release my disappointments upward and out of sight like butterflies soaring in spring air.
You free me from the tethers of the world and my heart leaps alive.
Everything, Lord.
I give you everything.
With open hands I come running into Your arms desiring to only filled them with You.
Like an unburdened lamb, I frolic in Your pasture and dance in Your presence.
You are my Shepherd.
You are enough.
You are my Lord.
You are my All.
You are my Everything.
Everything.
I saw so many sheep on our trip – I plan to blog about that next week. This really gave me quite an image of them. Glad to have company with a fellow lamb with Jesus!
jumping into the arms of the Shepherd with you, Jean, because that is the only way a sheep like me can give everything…only if I know He already has everything …oh for the grace to surrender all
ahh, I usually have to hear God multiple times before I wake up. Spiritual 2 by 4 as they say. Still praying for you and your family.
Thanks Lisa. I am jealous – would love to be part of lectio divina group. I know what you mean – you really do hear God on a new level at these things. Enjoy tonight and listen well.
That would really be a revelation wouldn’t it, Desiray! good point.
You have a great point. I have been praying about living out of my poverty, especially my spiritual poverty and know that is where I learn trust and reliance only on God. Great Point, Chris!
You know Shelly I have given several talks about this passage and each time it has been different. You are so right about how she continues to teach us. I love that perspective to this story. Thanks!
I have been thinking a lot about how to live out of our poverty too. Noticed I didn’t write about that as I have much to learn yet about that. Maybe a future blog post someday. Thanks for commenting
I even think we were commenting on each others blog at the same time too. Great minds….
I’m sensing God repeating himself to me again. This is the second time in a few short days I’ve heard him telling me to empty my hands in order to receive. Even laying down my worries, hmmm? Jean, Jean, Jean–what are you doing to me?
This is beautiful, Jean. Everything. That’s just hard to even imagine. I hope to participate in a group Lectio Divina tonight. I gain so much from those times.
I love the story of the widow she gave more than any of them and they
had more than she had. Often in our churches today when people give in
tithes and offerings those who take the money look at what a person
gives and say to themselves this is it? As if they know what was in that
persons wallet. we have to stop the judging when it comes to giving
because we don’t know how much a person gave in their hearts. Just like
this widow she had nothing left but she gave more than many of us
because she loved the Lord so much she was willing to give out of her
nothing to please God. Imagine what would happen if we gave out of our
nothing in order to please the Lord. Talk about a revelation this body
of believers would see.
Hi Jean:
Isn’t this typical? Those who have the least to give, give the most? Why do you suppose that is? I think it’s because those with the least understand what it’s like not to have and thus understanding that they can empathize more freely and they want to help as much as they can. They give from the heart. Those who have nothing give everything, They know what to give.
—
Chris
She teaches us so much doesn’t she? That simple story inciting surrender. May you find peace today in the Person.
This passage from scripture certainly is challenging to all of us. To still give out of our poverty is an amazing thing and reminds me I have far to go. Thanks for this reminder, Jean!
Wow. Great post. I love this – “You are my everything.” Our reflections on this reading were similar and yet different. I love that. Thank you for this.