Elijah's Jug

A lot of people in the aftermath of the loss of my father, have fulfilled their Christian duty and action of love expressed to me by asking me, "How are you doing?" It is not because I do not want to be asked that I barely answer or cliche it to death, but because I really, truly do not know. I am as my husband told someone, "sad". So however I feel or think or come to be each day, I do not know, but...

But I will tell you what I do know. There is a metaphor I heard recently, "Elijah's Jug". Read the story... in 1 Kings 19...

19 Ahab told Jezbel everything Elijah had done, including how he had executed all the prophets. ² Then Jezbel sent a messenger to Elijah. She said, “May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don’t take your life the way you took the lives of Baal’s prophets.”

³ Frightened, Elijah fled to save his life. He came to Beersheba in Judah and left his servant there. ⁴ Then he traveled through the wilderness for a day. He sat down under a broom plant and wanted to die. “I’ve had enough now, Lord,” he said. “Take my life! I’m no better than my ancestors.” ⁵ Then he lay down and slept under the broom plant.
An angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” ⁶ When he looked, he saw near his head some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water. So he ate, drank, and went to sleep again.
⁷ The angel of the Lord came back and woke him up again. The angel said, “Get up and eat, or your journey will be too much for you.”
⁸ He got up, ate, and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled for 40 days and nights until he came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Each day whatever I do, there is strength for that journey, not more and not less. When I look ahead to much or remember back at all my strength wanes and my heart drops. The tears come, but then as if it is part of the journey the Strength that is stronger than my weak knees can explain stands me up and imparts His Strength to me. This realization consumes my mind and heart and all is well for a time. I have never felt carries so well. So how am I, I can't wait till my smile is natural again, but ... well watch and know...

James 3:18,
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