Have you ever whispered to yourself, “I wish I was able…”?
I wish I was able to give more.
I wish I was able to help more.
I wish I was able to show my love the way my heart longs to.
For many of us, that quiet longing doesn’t come from greed, envy, or comparison—it comes from love. It comes from the deep desire to honor God and bless the people we care about. To show up with open hands. To give generously. To be someone who pours out, encourages, uplifts, and supports.
But sometimes, our heart wants to give more than our current capacity.
And that tension can feel heavy.
Sometimes, the things we long to give—whether time, finances, strength, or emotional presence—are simply bigger than what we currently have in our hands. And in those moments, we whisper words we don’t often say out loud:
“Lord… I wish I was able.”
When Generosity Feels Out of Reach
Recently, I found myself surrounded by generous people—friends who give effortlessly, who serve without hesitation, who open their hearts and resources in ways that feel so natural to them. And while their kindness inspired me, it also made me quietly aware of my own limitations.
It’s not that I felt less spiritual or less faithful. And it definitely wasn’t about money alone. What truly stirred me was the kindness behind their giving—the way generosity flowed from their character.
And so I found myself praying:
“Lord… am I not generous? Is there something lacking in me?”
It wasn’t a prayer of self-condemnation.
It wasn’t a prayer of shame or insecurity.
It was a sincere desire to be a better servant—to reflect the heart of Jesus in the way I give.
During my sabbatical, God has been slowly teaching me things about stewardship—lessons that aren’t loud or grand, but quiet and deep. Lessons about faithfulness, obedience, and learning to rely on Him instead of on my own ability.
And this morning, as I read Luke 21, God gently brought me back to a story I’ve read many times but needed to hear again.
The Widow’s Offering and the Heart God Sees
“Truly I tell you… this poor widow has put in more than all the others.” —Luke 21:3
It’s such a small story tucked in the middle of Scripture—just a few verses. Yet its message echoes louder than entire chapters of teaching.
Jesus sees a woman whom everyone else overlooks.
A woman with almost nothing in her hands, yet everything in her heart.
While others gave out of abundance, she gave out of faith. While others offered from their extra, she offered from her lack.
She gave everything she had—not to impress, not to compete, not to prove anything—but because her heart belonged to God.
And suddenly, God reminded me:
Faithfulness isn’t measured by how much we give, but by how we give.
It’s not about the size of the offering, but the posture of the heart.
In seasons where your capacity seems small, God is not disappointed. In seasons where you wish you could give more, God is not frowning at you. In seasons where your resources feel limited, God is not comparing you to others.
He simply calls you to be faithful with what you have.
Not what you wish you had. Not what others have. Not what you used to have.
Just… what you have today.
Three Gentle Reminders When You Feel “I Wish I Was Able”
Through prayer, reflection, and the story of the widow, God placed three reminders in my heart—three truths that hold us steady in seasons where our hands feel small but our hearts feel full.
These are the truths I pray will comfort you too.
1. Be Generous Today—with What You Have and What You Can
You may not have what others have.
You may not have what you wish you had.
But you do have something.
And whatever God has placed in your hands today—that is enough for today’s obedience.
Generosity doesn’t always look like:
- giving large sums of money
- sponsoring projects
- showing up in big ways
- pouring out without limit
Sometimes generosity looks like:
- listening patiently
- giving encouraging words
- offering your presence
- praying sincerely
- sharing a small resource
- showing small acts of kindness
- supporting someone quietly
Generosity is not measured by quantity.
It’s measured by love.
If you can give a little today, give it with a full heart. If you can show kindness in a small way, do it faithfully. If all you have to offer is a prayer, let it be an honest one.
We often underestimate the impact of giving “small.” But in God’s Kingdom, nothing given in faith is small.
Remember:
God multiplies what we offer.
We are simply called to surrender it.
Your “small” might be someone’s answered prayer.
2. Work Faithfully With Your Hands and Trust God With the Results
One thing the widow teaches us is that she did not wait for “more” to be faithful. She didn’t wait for a better season, a more stable income, or an easier life. She honored God with what she had that very day.
It is easy to think, “Lord, once I have more, then I’ll give more.”
But faith isn’t built on what we hope we can do—it’s built on what we choose to do right now.
God isn’t asking you to control outcomes. He isn’t asking you to produce abundance on your own. He isn’t asking you to carry burdens He never intended for you.
He simply calls you to:
- show up
- work with your hands
- give your best
- do it for Him
- and trust Him with the rest
Your responsibility is obedience.
His responsibility is the outcome.
Whether it’s:
- your job
- your finances
- your relationships
- your ministry
- your calling
- your season of waiting
God is the Provider. God is the One who multiplies. God is the One who sees your secret efforts and honors them.
Let your heart rest from the pressure to produce.
Just be faithful. God will handle the result.
3. Be Still and Know That God Is Faithful—Fix Your Eyes on Him
Sometimes the reason we feel “I wish I was able” is because we’re carrying the quiet fear that God might not show up.
Fear that:
- you won’t have enough
- you won’t be able to give back
- you won’t be able to support your loved ones
- you won’t be able to be the person you desire to be
But God gently whispers:
“Be still. I am faithful.”
The widow gave everything she had not because she was reckless—but because she trusted.
Trust is what allows us to let go of the fear of lack. Trust is what carries us when our capacity feels small. Trust is what anchors our hearts when we wish we could do more.
And here’s the truth:
God will take care of the people you love. Your provision is not their only provision. God loves them far more than you ever could.
You do not need to carry the weight of being everyone’s provider. You are not meant to be the source—only a vessel.
Be still. Breathe. Fix your eyes on Him.
Let God be God in your life and in the lives of the people you love.
A Closing Encouragement: You Are Able… Because God Is Able
Maybe you’re in a season where your capacity feels limited—financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually.
Maybe you look at your life and say:
“I want to give more.”
“I want to help more.”
“I want to love better.”
“I want to support the people around me.”
And maybe it feels painful that you can’t do everything your heart desires.
But here is the gentle truth:
God never asked you to give what you don’t have. He simply asks you to be faithful with what you do have.
Your limitations don’t disappoint Him. Your small offerings don’t embarrass Him. Your current capacity doesn’t define your worth.
God delights in your heart. He sees your desire to honor Him.He smiles at your willingness to love others through whatever you have today.
One day, you may have more to give.
Or perhaps your giving will always look different from others.
Either way, God is not measuring you by comparison—He is looking at your heart.
And in His eyes, a faithful heart is the greatest offering of all.
Stay Encouraged — Join the Faithfully Yani Community
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Faithfully,
Yani 💛
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