by Abbie Tippie

How often do we come to God saying, “I have nothing ”? We look at our situation and our circumstances, and think the world’s got it in for us. The cards are stacked against us. Things look pretty desperate and maybe even hopeless. That’s how the widow in 2 Kings 4 felt. Her husband is dead. Her two sons are going to be taken away from her. Her husband owed a lot of money and she has nothing for repayment. When she approaches Elisha, she doesn’t ask for a miracle, she just states the situation the way it is.

When Elisha asks what she has in her house, she responds that she has nothing. Then, as a footnote, she mentions, well, maybe she does have a little something. By following Elisha instructions, the widow and her sons gather jars and fill every one of them with oil, down to the last drop. God works his miracles to the very last detail!

What do we have that God can use? Instead of looking at our everyday lives that may be filled with struggles and view them as insurmountable burdens that can’t be lifted, maybe we can look to see what little things we do have—perhaps a cell phone to make some needed phone calls, transportation to get us where we need to go, or maybe even the most unlikely blessings in disguise, like a small jar of oil.

One other interesting aspect of this miracle that sticks out to me is that fact that the widow had to ask her neighbors for empty jars. A simple, yet humbling instruction. Her neighbors came through, and provided her with the empty jars she requested and hence, God’s power and faithfulness were shown through each and every jar that was brimming over with oil.

Are we ready to see how God can use what little we might have—everyday resources, a friend or a neighbor—for his glory?

Your fellow traveler,
Abbie