Flour & Oil

The nation of Israel was in the midst of a great famine. The prophet Elijah came upon a widow's house, and asked her for some bread to eat. She said that there was hardly any oil or flour left. In fact, she and her son were expecting to die of starvation before long. Elijah's response was one that stuck with me. One that spoke to my own heart:

Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.”

(1 Kings 17: 13-14, HCSB).

She gave what little she had. I'm not sure, even then, if she truly believed that God would provide. But, each day, I can see her dipping into the flour and pouring out the oil once again. The food was always there.

I don't know the feeling of true famine, true hunger. Food has always been plentiful on my family's table. I can't imagine what it would be like for the pantry in this house to be empty, to know that the meal in front of me would be my family's last.

But I do know what it's like to trust in the unknown. I know what it's like to imagine things, just around the corner and out of my reach.

I know what it's like to live a day, a moment at a time, trusting God to make the next move.

I know what it's like to trust Him to provide the flour and oil again, and again and again.

At one point in time I was waiting for college, waiting for God's direction as to the career path I should take. 

At another point, it was waiting for the spouse, that person I would share the rest of my life with.

Then, it was waiting for a baby, dreaming of the days we would hold that little one in our arms.

At other points, it's been career direction, the words to write, and what the future has in store for this little passion of mine. It's hard, not knowing. It's hard, waiting for direction and insight.

All I know is that I must trust. Trust that God will provide the flour and oil I need for each day. Because that's often how things work. We get the flour & oil one day at time. Not all at once. I think all of it would be too overwhelming for our small brains. And so, we get the ingredients, and make our bread each day. The flour and oil combine with yeast, and make a beautiful treat, something that will sustain us, one day at a time.

And we are left to trust, that, when we need them, the ingredients will be in place. God will provide.