The Widow’s Offering
(Jesus) sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.
--Mark 12:41-45

Willing to be Made Empty
Two small coins,
Little copper pennies
Enough to buy a hollow
Bright-colored piece of gum
That lasts for twenty chews.
This is all she had
This is all she gave.
So much more than the rest
So much more than they would ever give.

What if that is all he ever wants?
Our desire to give it all
All of our breath, all of our energy,
All of our sanity, all of our lives.

The willingness to empty our pockets
With even the lint
Inside out, for all to see.
Yes, that is what he hopes to receive
This all he longs to hold.

Would you give him two small pennies
If that were all you had to rub together?
Would the things he gives you
Be worth it all, in exchange?

What could we give, that would be worth so much?
The Savior's love and forgiveness
The pathway to God's heavenly throne
The assurance we will live forever
In a peace that, as yet, is unknown.
--KB