Our Provider

I heard the following story when growing up.  When my older sister was a toddler, my mother would wash her cloth diapers over the bathtub.  One night, it seemed she wasn't making any progress in getting the job done. "I didn't realize there were this many," she thought. Passing by the bathroom, my dad watched as my mother would place a washed, damp diaper to the side, only to see my sister retrieve one from the same pile and place back into the bathtub behind my mother's back. Amid laughter, he pointed out to my mother her double duty.

I thought of this while reading I Kings 17, concerning the widow at Zarephath.  The Lord sent Elijah to her during the dry spell, ensuring him she would provide for his needs. Upon a request for water, she obliged. However, when he asked for a bite of bread, she could only refuse. She explained she only had enough for her and her son to have one final meal. But Elijah told her, if she would honor God's man, all of her needs would be provided for.

Taking him at his word, she prepared a meal for Elijah first. Then for her family of two. She did the same day after day, only to find she never ran out of flour or meal. She'd turn her back and, while it was turned, God would add a little more to her stock. Every time she turned around, he'd blessed her yet again. Every time she turned around, He was making a way.

Here's another vein of thought. If we'd turn our eyes off our lack, our problems, etc., and let God work in the situation without our fretting and counting pennies, we might see something different when we take a second look at it in due time. I know I've had to do this for myself these past couple of weeks. It was as if God was saying, "If you'll let it go, stop dwelling on it, and shift your attention to other matters, I'll work in this. And before you know it, this will be resolved." Sure enough, that's just what happened. Let go, and let God.