She was at the temple to give her offering. Nothing special about her appearance, if anything, she was probably ignored or overlooked. However, she caught the attention of Jesus. Why? She only offered two small coins when others were offering tons of money. She was extremely poor and yet gave one of the most heartfelt offerings. She was a widow, alone with no husband to provide for her. The two coins she offered was all she had. No one would blame her if she kept them; however, she surrendered completely to God, trusting him to provide for her. The widow with the two coins has become an example of the spirit of trust and generosity. What is her story? Why was she giving an offering? And what lessons can be pulled from her story?
Passover was approaching and the temple was packed with worshippers. The previous Sunday, Jesus made a sensational scene as he rode down from the Mount of Olives, into Jerusalem, mounted on a donkey. However, that day, he sat with his disciples as a large crowd gathered as the temple treasury took their offerings. There, he watched as a widow deposited her offering. Two small copper coins that were less than a day’s wage (Mark 12:42). He quickly called the disciples’ attention to the widow. He would tell them that her offering was greater than all the others (Mark 12:43). Why? Because while others gave out of their wealth, she gave out of her poverty. She literally put everything she had in the offering. While no one else noticed the woman, Jesus saw her circumstances and her heart. He recognized the nature and the sacrifice of her offering. The Bible tells us nothing of the widow except her poverty and her faith. We do not know how she became impoverished. All we know is that she gave completely to God, believing and trusting that He will provide more than the two copper coins ever could.
It would be easy to dismiss her gift as too meager. Because what would God do with two measly coins? But she had the grace to believe in the value of her small offering. As God can do great things with little means. The story of the widow is a reminder that God’s kingdom operates on different principles than the world. In God’s eyes, it is not the size of the gift that matters, it is the size of the heart that gives it. While money is a necessity of life, the Bible warns against placing more importance on it than it rightfully should. 1 Peter 5:2 warns against greed for money. Hebrews 13:5 tells us to keep free from the love of money and be content with what we have. And, of course, the often misquoted 1 Timothy 6:10, which tells us that “the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (emphasis mine). As those who are eager for money have wandered from faith and found themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:10).
There are a few lessons we can take away from the widow’s story. First, recognize the need for money but be willingly to give it away. Our true security comes from God. Not in our bank accounts or our homes or our belongings. He has promised to provide (Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 9:10). Second, God sees the cost, the motivation, the heart and the sacrifice behind your offering. A gift begrudgingly given or given for recognition loses its value. However, a gift given out of gratitude and generosity increases its value. Third, the amount sacrificed supersedes the amount given. The widow’s offering had no chance to match the offerings of the rich; however, her sacrifice was greater. While the rich still had money in their pockets, she went home with nothing. Nothing but trust and faith. And lastly, generosity requires trust in God’s promises. No one would have blamed the widow if she withheld the offering. She obviously needed it. However, she gave it away. Out of obedience and trust, it shows a great faith in God. Psalm 20:7 says “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
In conclusion, the widow’s story is a few short verses in the Bible and yet she sets a profound example for us. As I close out this year’s Bible studies, I am reminded of God’s providence. He is the source of every blessing in my life. Every gift comes from him (James 1:7). While worry is a very human thing to do, I am reminded not to worry and focus on Him (Matthew 6:25-26). As we head into a new year with hope and uncertainty, may we remember that God goes before us. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The God that provided yesterday will be the God who provides today and tomorrow. So give with your whole heart and God will do the rest.
An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse is a story of one woman’s life as she lives through World War II and settles into life after. The story opens on Christmas Eve, 2019, Ninety-four year old Molly sets to write an important letter, a letter she has put off for far too long. She wakes up in the hospital, having suffered a stroke. While she has lost the ability to speak, her mind is still active and alive with her memories. The story then transports us to London, 1940s, as a young, nineteen year old Molly tries to find an excuse not to go out with friends. Little does she know that this night will change her life forever. She meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance and all is right with the world. But the realities of war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice and she finds herself going undercover for the French Resistance and other dangerous activities, all in the name of the war effort. As the war comes to an end and life returns to normal, Molly finds herself witnessing the ever-changing world with a heavy secret on her heart, a secret that only her sister knows. Witness a life of courage, strength and unbelievable love of a life that is anything but ordinary.
With a title like An Ordinary Life, you know you are on a roller coaster of a life which is not so ordinary. From the opening prologue to the closing epilogue, Molly’s story is one of heartache and sacrifice as she must find a way to survive. At one part, a character tells Molly that war changes everything as time is compressed and stolen. It is so true as the rest of her story is one of compressed and stolen time. Despite the passage of time, her memories are vivid as if the events were yesterday. I loved Molly’s spunk and determination. She wanted a life more than was expected of her and boy, did she live it. An Ordinary Life is a beautiful story of courage, strength and love. A story of finding the love of your life and doing your best to fit a lifetime of love in the time you have because with war, you never know if you’ll get any more. Despite the loss and heartache she experiences, Molly is able to fill her life with love, family and experiences that anyone would consider an extraordinary life. Ms. Prowse does not disappoint for a story of high emotions, personal sacrifice and life lessons learned. I highly recommend An Ordinary Life.
An Ordinary Life is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.
Bitter Winds is the third book in The Scavenger’s Daughters series by Kay Bratt. Ever since the night her blind twin sister, Lily, almost burned alive in a fire and they were taken from their mother, Ivy appointed herself protector and guide for her. When Lily is snatched away and locked away in a mental hospital, Ivy will do whatever it takes to get Lily home, safe and sound. What lengths will she go to get her sister home? At the same time, Benfu and Calli’s long-lost daughter, Li Jin, has reunited with her birth parents and embraced her adopted sisters with joy. She opens a shelter for displaced people and pours herself into helping others who desperately need it. But when her friend Sami is consumed by bitterness and doesn't seem to understand that she is a welcome part of the family too, Li Jin must make a difficult choice between her friend and her new family. What choice will she make?
I think Bitter Winds is my favorite book in this series. Filled with drama, suspense, hope and love, the story kept me on the edge of my seat and waiting for what would happen next. I went through all the emotions while reading it. I was angry at certain characters’ behaviors and cried with the characters cried as they suffered and grieved. I was scared with the events in the mental hospital and held my breath in anticipation of what might happen next. And I smiled through my tears at the ending. I loved seeing the growth in the characters especially Li Jin as she works through the events of her past and her new hope for her future. I like the description of holding grudges as “eating bitterness” as grudges eat away at you. I also love to read how the title works itself in the story and that’s true for all the books in this family saga. I highly recommend Bitter Winds.
Bitter Winds is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
The Skylark’s Secret by Fiona Vaply is a story about a
daughter’s journey to discover the secrets her mother held so close. Loch Ewe,
1940s, the remote highland village becomes the base for the Royal Navy’s Arctic
convoys, life in the close-knit community changes forever. The gamekeeper’s
daughter, Flora, falls in love with Alec, the laird’s son. Decades later, Flora
has passed away, and her daughter, Lexie Gordon, is forced to return to the
village and the tiny cottage where she grew up. With a daughter of her own,
Lexie learns that her mother and the village had secrets, secrets that will
question everything she thought she knew about her parents and her village.
Lexie is determined to fill the missing pieces in the story her mother always
told her. When she finally learns the truth, will she be able to finally
forgive, grieve for those lost and find a place to truly call home?
The Skylark’s Secret is a beautiful story of love and
sacrifice. Set in the beautiful Scottish highlands, it is a story of love, war,
and community. It is a story of a mother’s love and the secrets she holds in
her heart. Ms. Vaply’s descriptions are so vivid that I could image the crystal
blue waters of the loch and the rolling hills of the highlands. Told from
Flora’s and Lexie’s perspectives and times, a story is revealed of wartime bravery,
love found and lost, and the true meaning of home. It’s a slow simmer that
keeps you hooked as you want to know the secrets and when one twist is revealed
and you think you have it figured out, there is another twist! This book was my
first by Fiona Vaply and it certainly won’t be the last. I look forward to
reading more from Ms. Valpy. It is an awesome story and I highly recommend the
Skylark’s Secret!
The Skylark’s
Secret is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
Over the Waters by Deborah Raney is the story of
discovering there’s more to life than money. Dr. Max Jordan, aka “Dr Botox,” is
a successful plastic surgeon in Chicago. Every decision he has made has focused
on his career and his monetary success. He is shocked and angered that his only
child, Joshua, after becoming a doctor, has decided to treat Haitian orphans.
After Joshua’s death, a very bitter Max searches for answers in the orphanage
that his son called home. Valerie Austin escapes to Haiti after the bitter
break up of her engagement, seeks to find new meaning in her life. Will Max
find his eyes opened to the truth in his son’s sacrifice and the sacrifice of
those who work tirelessly for the orphans? Will he be able to find a freedom
that he never knew he needed?
Over the Waters is a touching story of the conditions
in Haiti, the people who live there and the humanitarian workers and
missionaries who work to help those in need. The overall story of Max and Valerie
left much to be desired. The book is billed as a romance and there was very
little romance. Max was a hard character to like even when he softened a bit
about his son’s choice. I had a bit more sympathy for Valerie. Overall, it was
enjoyable but not memorable. If you are a fan of Ms Raney, you may enjoy Over
the Waters.
If I were to ask you what love is, what kind of answer would
you give me? Most of you would probably give me a definition which would feature
a romantic sense of love. Even when someone says “I love you,” many will think
of romantic love. Did you know there are different types of love? Love is
defined as a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.
The Ancient Greeks had four words for love. Each type of love focuses on a
different part of the part and focuses on different aspects of our life.
First, Eros is erotic love, named for the Greek god of love
and fertility, Eros. The Modern Greek word is erotas which is intimate love. It
represents sexual passion and desire which focuses on the physical body. The
Ancient Greeks considered eros to be dangerous and frightening because it meant
a loss of control through the need to procreate. It is the primal and powerful
fire that burns quickly. It needs to be fanned by one of the deeper forms of
love in order to continue. Eros is not wrong, in fact, it’s an important part
of life and a marriage. Eros was designed by God for marriage. The Bible is
filled with examples. Genesis 2:24 states that a husband and wife shall “become
one flesh,” that the intimacy of sex unites or bonds a man and a woman
together. Eros or sexual desire should not be taken lightly. Even though it is
the most basic idea of love, it is a vital aspect of a long lasting marriage.
Second, Philia is affectionate love or friendship. The
Ancient Greeks valued philia far above eros because it was considered a love
between friends, between equals. Being free from the intensity of sexual
attraction, philia is about feelings of loyalty, camaraderie and a sense of
sacrifice. It is also a general type of love for family, friends, a desire or
enjoyment of an activity or even between lovers. The focus here is on the mind.
Philia is one of the four types of love to be specifically mentioned in the
Bible. Romans 12:10 says “be devoted to one another in brotherly love.”
Brotherly love is philadelphia (philia meaning love and adelphos meaning
brother). This is why Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is known as the City of
Brotherly Love. First Peter 3:8 says “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with
one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”
God calls us to love each other as brothers with affection and friendship.
Third, Storge is kinship or family love. It is a common or
natural empathy. It is almost exclusively used as a descriptor for
relationships within the family. It is known for the expression of mere
acceptance or putting up with situation because it is family. It can also refer
to the love or affection for childhood friendships which have lasted into
adulthood. It can refer to the love of one’s country. The focus here is on
memories or a common thread. Family is a vital part of our lives. It is the
first place we learn how to love and be loved. Or it may be the place we learn
what love is not. There are many examples in the Bible of the love of family. Family
was an important part of worship in the Hebrew communities. Deuteronomy 12:12,
18 tells everyone in the household to worship or rejoice before God. God
commanded everyone in the household down the servants to worship.
Lastly, Agape, selfless love, is the highest, purest and
most radical love. It is a selfless unconditional love with boundless
compassion and infinite empathy. It is a deeper love that some ancient writers
used to indicate the love of a spouse to separate from the other types of love.
It is a love that accepts, forgives and behaviors for our greater good. The
focus here is on the soul. It has been described as love of God for man and of
man for God. The best verse to describe agape is John 3:16, “For God so loved
the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life.” Christian writer, C.S. Lewis in his book The Four Loves, writes that agape is the
highest level of love known. It is a selfless love, a love that is passionately
committed to the well-being of the other.
In conclusion, we are called to love. However, when most
people like of love, they think of romantic love. There is so much more to love
than just romance. Love based on friendship and affection. Love based on memories
and connections. Love based on the desire to sacrifice yourself for the needs
of anyone. To sacrifice yourself isn’t always to die for someone, it can be to
simply put aside your wants and desires because someone needs something more.
The image of a mother eating very little so her family can have a feast. Or the
husband who sells his prized pocket watch so his wife can pretty combs for her
hair. Can you recognize the various types of love in your life? I bet they’re
there.
Since my husband and
I are attending the U2 concert tonight
November 11th is Veterans Day, a day when we
honor and remember those who fought for our freedoms. The purpose of Veterans Day
is to honor America’s veterans for their service, patriotism and willingness to
serve and sacrifice for the common good of the American people. A fun fact that
I discover is the Marine Corps birthday is celebrated on November 10 (1775) and
since the birthday and Veterans Day are a day after one another, the Marine
Corps customarily observes both occasions with a 96 hour liberty period.
Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day to honor World War
I veterans. November 11th was chosen to remember the temporary cease
fire between the Allied Nations and Germany on the eleventh hour of the
eleventh day of the eleventh month. November 11, 1918 has been called the end
of World War I with the Treaty of Versailles officially ending the war on June
28, 1919. On the one year anniversary of the armistice, President Wilson
proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice
Day. Congress would make November 11th a legal holiday on May 13,
1938. By 1954, after World War II required the greatest mobilization of U.S.
armed forces and after Americans fought in Korea, the 83rd Congress
amended the Act of 1938 changing it from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, in
honor of veterans of all American wars. October 8, 1954, President Eisenhower
proclaimed the first Veterans Day.
There are many veterans in my life who served this country with
honor. I wish I could name you all, I want to focus on two veterans who means
the world to me and to my husband. First, my grandfather Ken Bedard. He was
born Charles Kenneth Bedard on March 11, 1922 in Boston, Massachusetts. After
the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he, along with many young men of his generation,
answered the call to serve. He joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the U.S.S.
Kitkun Bay (CVE 71). He served proudly until the end of the war when he left
the Navy, met and married my grandma Ruby and begin their lives together in
Southern California. Although he never openly talked about his experience in
the war, I knew that he held this country in high esteem and did not tolerate any
disrespect to the American flag or America’s service men and women.
Another veteran who is very important in my family is my
late father-in-law, Joe Y. Lara. Joe was born November 5, 1930 in Los Angeles,
California. He joined the U.S. Army after his father’s death in 1946 in order
to help support his siblings and would lie about his age in order to enlist. He
would be sent to Korea and would be a member of the airborne division. He would
serve ten years in the Army before returning home to Los Angeles. He would
teach his son the love of this country as well as respecting and honoring her
veterans. No matter where we are, if my husband sees a military uniform or
something that identifies the individual as a vet, he will take a moment to
thank them for their service. This habit I know he will teach our children.
In conclusion, our veterans are very important to us. They volunteer
to go to war around the world. They are away from family and friends, often missing life
moments that we take for granted all that we can enjoy our life with the
freedom that we have. Some veterans come back wounded. Many wounds we can see
and many wounds we cannot. On this Veterans Day and every day, if you see a veteran,
make an effort to say thanks because regardless of your opinions on war, they sacrificed
a lot to ensure your freedoms.
To all the veterans, we thank you for your service and
sacrifice.
