Every Provision

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” — Luke 21:1-4

Past the crumpled paper,

tinseled tree, the boxes, 

ribbons, glitter, and bows; 

after the one too many bites

of one more “so-delicious,”

and the watching of our

favorite Christmas shows,

there is this gratitude 

for life, the common gifts

of our everyday that we 

shamelessly take for granted

—water, food, shelter—

and I sometimes wonder

how much richer I would be 

without the excess, my 

one-too-many things

that keep me from seeing

the miracle, the beauty

of His every provision —

may I give to others as He

has so graciously given to me,

and may I remember to pray

for my daily bread with

thankful humility.

—C.L.Fisher December 2020