Two Mights

"And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." - Mark 12: 42-44

I gave a sermon in church recently and based my words around this scripture. I was talking with my dad about the story of the widow and he opened my eyes to a new perspective. He mentioned that there were a lot of people coming into the temple that day, but even amidst a crowd of rich and famous people, Jesus Christ noticed the widow with only two mites. 

If I put myself in the widow's shoes I can bet that she didn't feel like her offering was worthy of notice. In fact, I suspect she was trying to make her offering as inconspicuously as possible. She was surrounded by a host of men with riches and jewels, dressed in fine clothing. She was probably conscious of the fact that she was malnourished, dressed raggedly, and that her meager offering of two mites could not compare. Perhaps doubts were running through her mind. Thoughts that her two coins wouldn't really help support the church. In comparison to the riches offered by those around her, her offering could hardly mean anything. I see a woman lacking confidence who humbly, quietly, and timidly offered her two mites.

This sounds a lot like me. Although many may not believe it, I am rarely confident in anything that I do. I work hard, extremely hard, to exude confidence, but I second guess and question a lot of things. I remember when I began attending the singles ward I was terrified. I would attend church afraid of talking to new people, messing up, or saying something stupid. I went through months of internal torment as I would force myself to attend church and activities, and then retreat to my home to cry and release the anxiety and fear. I had an idea that if I pushed hard enough long enough, if I practiced what I wasn't good at, eventually I wouldn't be so scared. I think it took about 6 months, but church did eventually become less stressful.

In all that time, when I completely lacked confidence in myself, I know my Savior was watching me, and I wonder what He was thinking. I believe He is proud of me and of the effort I gave. I attended events and I gave my two meager mites of energy and emotion. I gave a conversation if I could, volunteered when I felt able, and sometimes only smiled. For six months I served by showing up.

When I shared this story I asked the question: did showing up, did my effort, small as it was, make a difference? I told them that I couldn't answer that question. From my perspective, my two mites weren't really that important to anyone else. After the sermon, a friend approached me and changed my perspective. She told me that she was laughing all the way through my sermon because she remembered coming to the ward for the first time and finding comfort in being able to sit by me or talk with me. I consistently attended activities and was always there for her. She said that this was probably still during the time when activities stressed me, but she never realized that and sincerely appreciated that she could rely on me when she felt unsure of her place.

That's when the statement "two mites" changed into "two mights." I gave one might. I gave everything I had. I strove to be reliable and friendly. I wanted others to know they could count on me and that I accepted them. As little as it was, I gave all my might. And Jesus Christ gave the other. He took my might and added His might to it. What wasn't enough on it's own became enough as Christ magnified my might. Never again can I say it was a meager mite, because when Jesus Christ adds His might to mine, it is more than enough. My might can make a difference. It does make a difference. So serve with all of your might, whatever that might look like any day. And remember that Jesus Christ is looking on. He see's someone who is humble, quiet, and willing. He see's someone He is proud of.