It was enough

It was one of those lazy Saturday afternoons in early spring when my daughter suggested we ride down to the river in the side-by-side. So, with my grandson tucked between us, we set off on our little adventure – only to have it cut short by a flat tire. We hobbled our way back home, and instead of sitting along the riverbank, we found ourselves gathered around a picnic table in the backyard.
Strangely enough… there was no disappointment in the change of plans. If anything, it gave us something we might have missed. There was no loud hum of the engine – just conversation.
Beneath the pecan trees, in the quiet beauty of her backyard, we sat together with sweet iced tea and a bowl of cheesy popcorn my grandson had brought along. It was simple. We brought what we had… and we enjoyed the moment.
So many times in life, we believe we need grand moments – something full, something planned, something with a little more “bang for your buck” – to truly enjoy ourselves. And yet, it is often the simplest moments that leave the deepest imprint on our hearts. That day we brought what we had and it was enough.
Scripture reminds us that it doesn’t take much for God to do something meaningful. In the Gospel of John, we read of a young boy in a crowd of thousands who had only a small lunch – five loaves of bread and two fish. The need was great, and what he held seemed small by comparison. It would have been easy to keep it to himself, but he offered it anyway. In the hands of Jesus, it became something more. Bread was broken, fish was shared, and thousands were fed. The boy did not perform the miracle, but he became part of it simply by bringing what he had.
It was the same with the poor widow who gave her two small coins. It was such a simple offering that could have easily been overlooked. Yet Jesus noticed. While others gave from what they could spare, she gave from what she needed. It wasn’t the amount that mattered, but her heart. What seemed small in the eyes of the world was fully seen by God. She did not have much, but she gave it anyway, placing all she had into His care (Mark 12:41–44).
Often what we have may not seem like much – a kind word, a moment to care, or simply showing up when it would be easier to stay away. It can feel small in our hands, hardly worth offering, compared to what we think is needed. Scripture reminds us that God does not ask for more than we can give. He simply invites us to bring what we have, as we are, without measure or comparison.
When we place even the smallest offering in His hands, something begins to shift. It may not always look like a miracle in the way we expect, but it becomes part of something greater than ourselves. Perhaps it is like that afternoon beneath the pecan trees, as I shared a simple moment with my daughter and grandson, with sweet tea and cheesy popcorn between us. We realize that what we had all along was enough. And maybe that’s the truth we carry with us. Maybe all you have is something small to offer – and just maybe, that is all you need.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver — 2 Corinthians 9:7

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.