Having recently passed the “half century” mark, I found myself reviewing the years of my life.

This has not been done in a nostalgic fashion, but rather, in an effort to identify moments and experiences that helped me become the person I am and define my spiritual journey.

When we think of our spiritual history, we often think of “big” events. I vividly recall a moment when I was five years old. In my religious tradition, worship services ended with an invitation to come forward and “make a decision” for Jesus Christ. In childlike faith, I responded, and my mother came and prayed with me. From that moment onward, I was aware that Jesus was my friend.

I also remember the first time I knew that God was calling me to ministry. Although I was only fourteen, the spirit of God spoke to my heart. The calling was revealed and my life moved in that direction from that time forward.

These are defining moments. It is good to reflect on them and affirm the commitments made.

However, as I have reviewed my life history with God, I have also come to appreciate the times when something was affirmed in my heart or when I learned a lesson in smaller, less obvious ways.

One of my first real memories, dates to when I was just four years old. .These were far more carefree days, when children could venture a few blocks away from home, without a parent’s supervision.

One Saturday, my brother and I passed a house just as my Sunday School teacher was letting herself in the door. I found that pretty exciting, as somehow I had not pictured her as having a home. In my childish mind, she was simply always at the church.

The next day, she asked her class if anyone knew where Jesus lived when he was a little boy. In great excitement, I put up my hand and announced that I knew where she lived. It seemed like a logical connection to me but her abrupt response put me in my place as she impatiently dismissed my answer.

The lesson learned in that moment stayed with me and strongly influ- enced the way I choose to interact with individuals. It taught me that when we dismiss the words of another, we communicate that we don’t value them.

What I had shared might have seemed irrelevant, but it came from a pure motive to respond to what she had asked.

While I couldn’t articulate it that day, I knew something was wrong in the way I was treated. Over the years the pieces came together and I prayed that God would help me do all that I can to show people that I value their contributions.

One day, Jesus was in the Temple with His disciples. People were presenting offerings and He noticed a poor widow, giving her last two coins, all that she had.

He commended her and her example has been used for centuries to reveal that God values the humblest contribution, if it reflects the surrendered heart of the giver.

Sometimes we are like small children. We raise our hand in great excitement to share something with the great God of the universe.

Sometimes we are like the widow. We come humbly before Him with small offering.

God values our contribution because He looks at our hearts. May we do the same for others.