Just Enough

 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, "The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth." 1 Kings 17:14

Hi Friends,

Have you ever felt desperate? I think that's probably what this widow was feeling when Elijah spoke to her. She had so very little that she was planning to prepare the last meal for herself and her son. And Elijah asked her to use what she had on him. When we're desperate, we often don't think about others outside of our closest family and friends, certainly not a stranger. But when Elijah made his request, he also gave her a promise from God. She would have just enough. Just enough flour and just enough oil to make it through until the end of the drought. And she had just enough faith to do what Elijah asked.

Just enough. We often think that "just enough" is not enough. In the western world, it's all about excess. We want more and more. We have to keep up with the Joneses. We need the newest, the biggest, and the brightest.

I think this story is beautiful in the fact that God provided for them but it wasn't all at once. It wasn't in excess. It was just enough. God can certainly give us more than enough and He often does. But sometimes we need to be satisfied with just enough. And when we've got just enough, aren't we more dependent on God? Aren't we more likely to go to Him? When we have more than enough it's easy to begin thinking we are self-sufficient.

Just enough can be hard for those of us used to more than enough. But what a rich experience it can be!

Page details: I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets: Boss Lady Alpha, Watch Your Mouth, and In His image. Simple page of stamping. I used a pencil to shadow the letters.

Have a blessed week! Andrea 

Be Quick to Listen

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

Hello Friends!

Before I discuss the verse and page today, I want to take a moment to pray for the people of Ukraine and everyone affected. Lord, we know that You are sovereign. What is happening now was not a surprise to You. In fact, You can use it for Your good purpose. Father God, please be with the people of Ukraine. Give them strength, courage, and safety. I pray for the governments of the world, that they will seek Your wisdom, that You will guide them. I pray that Putin will turn to You. I pray that many will be led to You, that they will find Light in this darkness. Help us, Lord! In Jesus' name, Amen.

If only our world leaders and the rest of us would heed this verse, our world would be a very different place. Is this not a perfect verse to guide us in how we relate to others in this day and age? We're all so sure we're right. And, we definitely have to speak our peace. Far be it from us to be silent. We must be heard even if that means yelling over everyone else. And if we do stop talking long enough to actually have a conversation with someone, so often instead of listening to each other, we're just thinking about how we're going to respond to prove them wrong. Can anyone disagree without getting angry these days? It sure doesn't seem like it. 

We are doing the exact opposite of this verse. W are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to get angry. And sadly, believers- true believers and professing believers alike- are often some of the biggest culprits of this. Let's remember Whose name we bear. Yes, we must stand for truth. But we must do it humbly and lovingly and in a way that glorifies Jesus. If we don't, we won't win anyone over to Him.

Page details: I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sets: Watch Your Mouth and God is Love. I used watercolor crayons for the background and colored pencils to color in the flowers.

Pray, church, pray, and listen. Have a blessed week. Andrea