September 8, 2008

• I read something a friend of mine posted and I would like to share....it spoke to my heart and I did not want to keep it all to myself.

  So the following is from her blog.......
  
  

  She gave what Little she Had
  

  "I shared this at our Secret Sister breakfast on Sat.
  I read the story of The Widows Mite from Mark 12:38-42.
  She gave more than those who gave alot of coins, because she gave everything that she had.
  
  C.S.
  Lewis says that we will be judged, not by what we've given, but by what
  we have left. The religious leaders were multi-talented individuals
  with the appearance of being spiritually and financially wealthy. They
  gave just a small percentage of what they had. They had a great deal
  left over. God's economy is different than ours.
  
  The other day,
  I experienced an epiphany. Anne Lamott says that she believes that we
  are all the ages that we have ever been. Think about it. How old are
  you? You can imagine all the ages you have ever been, but you can't
  really identify with any ages that you have not been.
  I am 50. And
  this is what 50 looks like on me, with my experiences in life, my
  accidents, my pregnancy's, etc. I will not have the body I had 5,10, 15
  years ago... I need to get rid of the idea of what 50 Ought to look
  like and accept that this is what it looks like on me. Then I can
  strengthen what remains and be the best 50 I can be instead of trying
  to reclaim what I used to be. This also helps with the comparing one
  does with other 50 year olds. "Hmm..I'm in better shape than she is."
  Or...." How did she stay in such good shape?" Key word being 'shape'.
  Fruitless and Frustrating and why do it then?
  
  We can apply the
  same principle to our emotional spiritual state as well. This is where
  I am at spiritually, emotionally, and mentally due to my choices and
  God's interventions and leadings, my environment and upbringing, my
  experiences...This is what I have to bring.
  
  Like the widow, I
  can give what little I have. The widow gave everything. To others, it
  didn't look like much. We don't know if God rewarded her later
  financially or if He blessed her in some way. But He did reward her and
  she didn't even know it. He gave her what we all want. He praised her
  to His disciples. "Look at her. She has given everything." He gave her
  His favor.
  
  Has He ever spoken highly of someone to you? Has he
  ever said," Look at that boy worshipping me. He has always loved me. He
  has given me everything he has." Or,"Look at her. She is using all her
  strength to build my kingdom. She's invisible to alot of people but
  this church wouldn't be what it is without her. She has given all that
  she has." Or, "Look at this mother. She has a new baby. She is
  exhausted. But she gets up at night and feeds her baby and she gives
  that child what little strength she has. Someday, I will tell her that
  what she did for the least of these, her baby, that she did for me."
  
  Oh, to be commended by God.
  Oh, to be defended by Him and pointed out to His followers.
  Who needs the praise of men when you have His praise and defense?
  
  I encourage you to give what little you have and receive what little others have to offer.
  
  This
  is the amazing thing. We have this treasure in earthern vessels. We
  have His presence. We have Jesus within. We don't have to do any
  problem solving. We just need to point people to Christ. No matter how
  long we've been Christians, our human nature wants to wander away from
  truth. We always need someone to remind us to Look to Jesus and Keep
  our eyes on Him.
  
  So relax and enjoy this prayer friendship that
  could be labeled as the Luck of the Draw. ( We pulled numbers and
  matched up with the other woman who had the same number. We will be
  prayer partners for the next 3 months.) Don't miss the Divine in it.
  
  Take
  turns listening to each other and pray as you listen, giving their
  burden to God. Listen to God to hear if He has anything for you to
  share with them. Be quiet if you don't hear anything. Just listen and
  bring them before the throne.
  
  Give and receive.
  Be content with who you are and what you have to offer.
  Relax and Enjoy.
  Pray and Believe.
  Remember that Christ is in you. Therefore the little you have to give is actually a great deal.
  Remember
  that in Jesus great hour of need in the garden, He wanted His Father
  AND His three closest friends. It's OK and good to need friends and to
  want them to watch and pray with you.
  
  Too often, when we only
  have a little to give, we hold it tight to keep it for a rainy day. I
  think the widow gave all of the little she had because she loved God
  more than life itself. She may have died later because she had nothing
  to eat. At the very least, she had to consider that possibility.
  
  Oh God, help me love you more"

  written by suzsea's friend annie h.

  • 11:12 am
  • 2 Comments