I love this precious thought straight from the voice of a child. It is the understanding and the confusion that goes with receiving a “gift” that is not exactly what we asked for! I wonder about Joyce and what happened to her. Did she ever get that puppy that she wanted? And how did she feel about her brother when she became older? What do we do with the gifts that we did not expect? And yes, we do seem to ask God for things that are quite simple but receive profound replies, or what seem to be “no” replies, or answers that are totally surprising. This was my thinking before the hurricane.

Then, as tragedy struck the United States with the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, my perspective of giving and gifts centered on the giving rather than the receiving. We might have wanted/expected some wind and rain, but what Louisiana and Mississippi received was beyond our imagination. How can we possibly deal with such a catastrophe? How do we re-imagine our gifts, giving, and gathering in order to best help those in need? Then I read this text:

As Jesus sat near the Temple treasury, he watched the people as they dropped in their money. Many rich people dropped in a lot of money; then a poor widow came along and dropped in two little copper coins, worth about a penny. He called his disciples together and said to them, “I tell you that this poor widow put more in the offering box than all the others. For the others put in what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, put in all she had-she gave all she had to live on.” (Mark 12: 41-44, The Holy Bible, Good News Translation)

I began to reflect on the story of the Widow’s Mite as we call it. Not what she “might” do, but what the widow did do. Not what she “might” give or accomplish, but the “mite” that she did give. Small but huge. Everything that she possessed. Generosity beyond measure, a reflection on how much the widow loved her God.

These thoughts keep blowing in my mind: Gifts, Giving, Gathering, and Generosity. A brother instead of a puppy. Everything that one woman had in order to live. Bottled water, blankets, places to sleep, haircuts, health care, families reunited, and pets rescued. Protecting, enforcing, and establishing safety. Dirty, horrible, and tough work to clean and rebuild. Admiration of a people/nation whose caring has been unleashed and who have one immediate goal.

Perhaps we are to learn how to receive the gift of the brother? It may be that the “mite” that fills huge trucks of life’s necessities will help to open the doors of our hearts. I think that I met Jesus as we helped to fill up the truck headed for Mississippi. And we have all seen pictures of those whose purpose is protecting, securing, and establishing order in the midst of this chaos. Some of us are honored to know them personally.

To me, this is the gathering of awareness of the tasks, lessons, and gifts of love for all of us. And it is not even Christmas.

Ecumininet™ online! asked it’s writers to share their perspectives on fall, gathering and gifts. The amazing articles, photography, and poetry are the result of this process of reflection. Each one tells its own story. We are all at different places in our lives and carry our experiences with us as we move forward. It is our hope that these thoughts will make a difference in your own journey of faith and life.

Blessings on you this season as you reflect upon and discover your gifts.

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