So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat from her supply of flour and oil for many days.(I Kings 17: 15, NLT)
I have a friend that takes supplies into places throughout the world that are difficult to access, places where people live with little resources. He has said that the children in these places tell the story of the heart of the people. When he sees that the children are content he knows the spirit of the community is one of gratitude. They do not ask for more or have expectations that he will come back, instead they are grateful for what they have received.
I am not sure that there are many individuals in the Western World that are authentically grateful for what they have received.
Entering into the story of the widow and Elijah has made me wonder if we lack gratitude because we have lost the awareness of the Source of our resources. It is difficult to understand the living condition of the widow and her son when Elijah brought them a Word from God. The widow was living in a land that had nothing to offer, in a time that disregarded women and children, in a culture that refused to render help to widows, and in society of faithlessness. And then . . . a prophet came into her life with a word directly from God . . . far from the context of her experience . . . yet she chose to receive the word . . . and responded by doing what God had said . . . her response of faith . . . transformed her life.
All things come from God.
Receive the words of God.
Be aware of the generosity of God.
Be grateful no matter what . . . it reveals the heart.
Give thanks throughout the day.
Learning with to you to be grateful no matter what,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
