The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16) is not where most people would look for a way through their stress. But the story takes place during a drought, and being stressed out is a lot like living in a drought. So maybe there is something in this story that can lead us toward refreshment in our stressful lives.
In the midst of all of this, the blessing I pray for you is this: That you experience the same surprising giftedness that the widow of Zarephath experienced. The widow went to bake her last biscuit and give it away to Elijah, but was suddenly blessed with plenty.
This excerpt is from “Stress-free: Keeping your Spirit Flexible” by Dawn D. Hansen in the April 2007 issue of Cafe. Today is the fourth Sunday of Pentecost. The readings are 2 Samuel 11:26–12:10, 13-15; 1 Kings 21:1-10 [11-14] 15-21a (semicontinuous); Psalm 32; Psalm 5:1-8 (semicontinuous); Galatians 2:15-21; Luke 7:36–8:3.
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