In today’s world, every want and need can be delivered almost immediately by a click on an app, from a week’s worth of groceries to an impulsive thick chocolate milkshake and salty fries, or a dress shirt when an unexpected interview pops up. Whether traveling or sitting a few feet away, home thermostats can be modified, and garage doors can be opened or shut. Modern conveniences are wonderful, so at times, it can be difficult to relate to the ancient Israelite culture while reading scripture. Even with culinary training, I never learned how to preserve food with salt, build an actual fire to bake bread or draw water from a well.

To better understand the lead passage (shared below), let me share some cultural context. The prophet Elijah was sent by God to a pagan city and he was directed to find a widow who would supply him with food. A widow was the lowest of society, her son was too young to help provide for them, and it would be against their cultural norm to speak to each other. But they are years into a famine and drought, so Elijah had a simple request:

“Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 1 Kings 17:13-14

The request was a no-brainer. It’s basic Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. To have the opportunity of endless food for the mere risk of wasting a small loaf of bread on a stranger. Yet, please don’t miss the deeper implication. In his request, Elijah is offering the widow a miracle of endless food during her time of need, as well as an introduction to the Lord of Israel. All she needed was a small step of faith.

This isn’t the only time the Bible mentions God using bread as provision. Many of us can recall the story of the daily manna He provided the Israelites in the wilderness, a similar provision from the 5 loaves and 2 fish , and Jesus’ declaration as being our Living Bread:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51

With her one small step toward God, the widow accepted Elijah’s request, and it provided an offer for more:
Extra years to live.
Additional time to build a relationship with her son.
Maybe even opportunities to generously share this endless bread with others.

I don’t think she put any future thought into what could become from accepting the first miracle of eternal bread. However, we continue reading that Elijah lived with and built a relationship with them, which allowed him to be there when she needed a second miracle of bringing her son back to life. This is striking. We first meet the Zarephath widow ready to prepare the last meal for her and her son. Fast forward, her son has died and understands that the prophet of the Lord can bring him back to life (1 Kings 17:24). In one chapter, we read of the miracles of Bread and Life. Even before Jesus was on the cross, God was in the resurrection business! Only He can offer eternal life. We have the same offer, if we take one step in faith.

I sit in awe of the widow. She was in a culturally vulnerable position. She needed help, but didn’t have any way to get it. And then came God.

At the end of this month, I’m having knee surgery. It’ll be my first surgery, and I’m concerned about the pain and the lack of freedom during recovery. I’m usually the doer. The giver. The get things done. Not the sit on the couch waiting for someone to refill my circulating ice bag or bring me things. When a friend mentioned a Meal Train of dinners, I hesitated. I didn’t “need” this. My husband and kids are fully capable of cooking for us. Plus, couldn’t we use the modern convenience of DoorDash to fill in on the busy nights? Then a dear friend explained it this way: “Allow us to care for you, and be open to receiving. God has something to show you in this. Let Him dazzle you”. Hmmm. How can I say no when even the non-believing widow said yes?

My physical body is wounded and needs assistance. The restrictions over the past four months have created my own minor drought. I’ve mourned the loss of a favorite past-time of running, I’m unable to lower to the floor and chat shoulder to shoulder with a friend, and even my inability to wear high heels brings me sadness. My identity of fit, fashionable, and fun has been set aside, as many times on our family vacation I’ve had to respond, “I don’t think I should do that” instead of my normal, “Let’s go. Meet me at the top!”

My torn ACL has caused me to limp, as well as to understand that God is providing me with an offer for more. My slowdown has also given me pause to reflect on the parallels often presented between the physical and spiritual worlds. During my recovery time, as I spend more one-on-one time with Him, what will the Lord reveal that is wounded within me? Will there be activities and people God will ask me to walk away from? I am asking a surgeon to repair me, but more so for God to heal what else is broken, so I can be spiritually and physically healthy.

Please pray with me: Lord, You are the Great Healer, Great Physician and Redeemer.
I trust You to lead the surgeon, as You begin a healing inside my soul and body. Please feed me with Your spiritual nourishment, to provide me with deeper understanding of what my purpose is in the Kingdom. Thank You for the friends You’ve knit around me to bring meals and “daily bread” of stories about You and Your provisions. Remind each of us to speak of Your Living Bread, so we can share eternity. Amen.

P.S. I can’t wait to watch how You will dazzle me as You make me whole!