Just a Handful

Read

1 Kings 17:10-12 “So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, ‘Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?’ As she was going to get it, he called, ‘And bring me, please, a piece of bread.’ ‘As surely as the LORD your God lives,’ she replied, ‘I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.’”

Think

Have you ever seen the little gas light turn on in your family's car?

It's a small orange light on the dashboard. When it pops on, it means the tank is almost empty. A grown-up usually says something like, “Uh oh. We need to find a gas station soon.” Then everybody in the car starts looking out the window for one.

That feeling of running out can be scary.

The woman Elijah met in Zarephath knew that feeling really well. Only it wasn't gas she was running out of. It was food.

Elijah walked a long way to Zarephath. When he got to the town gate, he saw a woman picking up sticks. This was the widow God told him about!

Elijah asked her for a drink of water. Then he asked, “Could you bring me a piece of bread, too?”

Her answer was very honest. She said, “I don't have any bread. I only have a handful of flour and a little bit of oil.” She was gathering sticks to build a fire and make one last small meal for herself and her son. She thought that after that, their food would be all gone.

That is a really hard place to be. She was worried about her son. She didn't know how they would eat tomorrow.

But here is something she didn't know yet. God had sent Elijah to her. God had not forgotten about her. God saw her tiny bit of flour. He saw her little jug of oil. And he had a plan to take care of her and her son.

Sometimes we feel like we're running low too. Maybe it's not food. Maybe you're running low on energy after a really long week. Maybe you're running low on patience with your little sister. Maybe you feel like you're running low on friends.

When you feel like you only have a handful left, God sees it. He sees exactly how much you have. And he knows exactly how much you need.

You don't have to be full to come to God. You can come to him with your handful.

God was about to show this widow something amazing. And he can do amazing things with your handful too.

Apply

Bring your handful – What are you running low on today? Maybe energy, patience, or feeling happy? Tell God about it, and ask him to fill you up with what you need.

Pray

God, sometimes I feel like I don't have enough. Thank you that you see what I have and what I need. Please fill me up and take care of me and my family. In Jesus' name. Amen.