Ordinary Time

Pause

We fully open our hearts to you, O God, as we give.

Listen

The Lord’s word came to Elijah: Get up and go to Zarephath near Sidon and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to take care of you. Elijah left and went to Zarephath. As he came to the town gate, he saw a widow collecting sticks. He called out to her, “Please get a little water for me in this cup so I can drink.” She went to get some water. He then said to her, “Please get me a piece of bread.”

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any food; only a handful of flour in a jar and a bit of oil in a bottle. Look at me. I’m collecting two sticks so that I can make some food for myself and my son. We’ll eat the last of the food and then die.”

1 Kings 17:8-12

Think

I hate interruptions. When I am writing, I get upset when I get interrupted. How can you interrupt me when I have so much to do? I am giving it my all!

I have to wonder if that is how that poor widow felt. She was collecting firewood to make bread. Yet the prophet Elijah interrupted her, asking for some water. The woman stopped and helped him. She gave her all, for she gave him her time, her right to be annoyed, and her attention. She followed the notion that we are to love God and love our neighbors – even when they interrupt or annoy us. By helping Elijah and giving something up, she opened the door for God to work in her life. Tomorrow’s reading will continue the story about what God did.

So, what about you? Do you give interruptions your all, or do you move on? I tend to get frustrated, so I need to remember that widow. By giving, she opened the door for God to work, and a miracle happened.

Andy Hart

Pray

Gracious Lord, thank you for your mercy. Be with me when I am interrupted, for you may be asking me to give my all and change the world. Amen.

Go

Someone once said: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

Go out today to make your life by giving.

Give love, give joy, give selflessly, give generously.

Give your all.