February 6, 2011

The Widow's Mite


The box with a lock in the picture is the little donation box in our community learning center and library. Our non-profit foundation offers free services to the surrounding communities but we do encourage the parents and children to drop their donations to help us pay the bills and the materials we use in our classes. The little amount we get from this box helps us cover the petty cash we need every month. But that's not what I want to talk about in this post....

I have a very skinny girl in my class who obviously come from a poor family. I'm always worried of her health because it looks like it's only her skin that holds all her bones together!  She's not as refine as other students and was one time despised as "that girl from the slum" by her classmate's mother. She used to speak words that you only hear in the slum, that's why. I say "used to speak" because I no longer hear her speak those kind of words in my class these days. But that's not what I want to talk about her, at least not now...

It's her giving that moves me. Every time she comes to our center she stops by the box and drop a coin or two. Other children don't. Those coming from a bit better-off family wont. Our box is always hollow so even if I do not see, the sound of the coin can tell me how much she gives that day. Not much but I know it means a lot to her and her family, and it's a huge encouragement to

If you are not familiar with the story of The Widow's Mite, please read on...
The Widow’s Two Mites (Luke 21)
 1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear R!
What's good reminder to me!
Jesus appreciated the widow more than anyone!

Awaiting to see you in HK!

J

Jenn said...

WOW! What a story. It makes me want to be a fly on a wall in her home to hear what her mother teaches her. Beautiful!

Katie said...

This story touches my heart! It really makes me think about our giving and our heart and mind-set when we do. The little girl in your class is an amazing example of love and appreciation and I am so thankful that you shared her story with us!

{LyndsD} said...

Such beauty!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Kathleen said...

That verse comes from a story with such a powerful lesson!! Oh, to live up to it!! Great shot!

Mommy2Four said...

What a beautiful story to go with that scripture and photo....

Discovery School at First Baptist Heath said...

Oh what a joy that this little one would give so much...We so often do not give, or we feel entitled to something.. I am sharing this story with so many others. Thank you for reminding me that I take more than I give. In honor of this little girl and her family... I will give more!

Corina said...

Love it and the story. I taught at several different schools before having children (and staying home with them) and it was the poorest kids from the poorest schools that always gave the most.

lauraelizabeth4@outlook.com said...

This is such a touching story. She must be very grateful. It reminds me of "those that are forgiven much, love much." Thank you for sharing, Ruth. I like it how you can make the simple things so profound.

God bless you good.

Val said...

Beautiful beyond words.

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