Did your mom always tell you how great your macaroni art was?  Did she always tell you were the best musician or athlete?  When our parents were being nurturing, they would encourage our talents.  But sometimes, if we’re honest, our attempts were something only our mothers could love.  As we turn to the second chapter of Haggai, we encounter a similar situation.  The new temple they were building was something only their mothers could love.  It didn’t come close to comparing to the temple Solomon had built.  And yet, God doesn’t minimize their efforts… He praises them!  Sometimes the smallest things we have to offer are the biggest gifts we can offer God, even today!