A Heartfelt Giver

 Hello everyone! First, I have to say that I am loving this women of the Bible series I'm doing this month 💜!! I hope you have been encouraged by it as much as I have! So far, Esther and Elizabeth from the Bible have been highlighted. If you haven't checked out "A Voice of Hope" or "Favored and Faithful," be sure to go check them out 😊.  This week, I take us back to the New Testament and highlight a woman and her giving. We don't know her name. We do know she's a widow and she's poor. I do know a widow is a woman whose husband has passed away. She knows what it's like to experience grief and loss in her life and not have a lot of money. We find the widow woman in Mark 12:41-44. Jesus was watching people give their offering to the temple (church). There was a crowd of people there. Lots of rich people were putting in large amounts of money (v. 41). In verse 42, we see the widow enter and give two copper coins. It even mentions it's small and only worth a few cents. Jesus was noticing and used that opportunity to talk to his disciples.  He tells them that the widow had put more money in than everyone else had because she gave her all and what she had to live on (v. 43-44). We can learn a few things from the widow's story. First, we are seen and noticed. I know you may have felt like you were overlooked and not seen in your life, but you are seen. Jesus noticed the woman in the crowd of the people. He could have chosen anyone else, but her chose her 💜. Jesus notices us too and that's good news! He sees everything we do! He saw the exact moment she gave and what she gave. He pays attention to the details and that's encouraging to know 😊! Second, no amount of giving is too small. She gave two small coins that were not worth much. In other's eyes, it may didn't seem like much. However, Jesus saw it as a big deal and had a conversation about her with his disciples. Giving doesn't always have to be money or tangible items, even though that's good when you're able. Giving your smile, compliment, hug, encouraging word, time, effort, support, and help can be just as important and effective. Now, how we give is also important, which leads me to my last point. Lastly, we have to give from the heart and with the right motives. I believe the woman gave from her heart. We should not give to be seen or for recognition or for competition. We should give with pure motives and a sincere heart. We should give our best 😊. II Corinthians 9:7 reminds us of how we should give and that "God loves a cheerful giver." Our woman in today's story reminds us to be a heartfelt giver because we all have something to give every day. Let's all give sincerely and cheerfully! Love and blessings to all 💜!!