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Refreshment takes many forms. A tall, cold drink. A hot meal. A good sleep. A pat on the back. Refuge from the tempest. The idea is to supply what is lacking in any situation; to take what is stale and make it fresh. In my experience, the soul is refreshed only by God and his agents. He touches circumstances and his method is men and women with ears tuned to his prodding, "Go!"

The common refrain heard from people during the holidays is: "I wish I had more hours and money at this time of year." Perhaps the cry from the Gulf Coast of those blown by the fury of Hurricane Katrina is: "I wish I had a home at this time of year." Situations that are the most desperate invite the eye and the hand of God.

The account of a godly widow in the Scriptures reveals that God's power and love make up for what's lacking. He and his people do indeed refresh others.

2 Kings 4:1-7 tells of a desperate threat. A creditor was coming to take the recent widow's two boys as slaves for payment of a big debt. The widow didn't know what to do so she cried out to a man of God named Elisha.

In reply, Elisha asked a question. "Tell me, what do you have in your house?" (2 Kings 4:2). Perhaps it was the widow's response that prompted Elisha's suggested action. She said: "Your servant has nothing there at all except a little oil." Her "nothing.except" answer prompted Elisha to tell her to collect jars.

Jars? How will jars solve the problem? The prophet told her "Don't ask for just a few." Where was she to obtain the containers? From all her neighbors. What was she to do with them? Fill them with the little oil she had. Preposterous!

Elisha told the woman: "Go inside and shut the doors behind you and your sons." Her sons brought jars to her. And, more jars. And, more jars. The Bible reports: "She kept pouring" (2 Kings 4:5). When there were no more jars left, "the oil stopped flowing." The man of God told the woman: "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."

Whether you are a displaced hurricane victim, a compassionate on-looker, or a follower of Jesus concerned about the lack of resources for the holidays, this widow has something to teach. Several lessons are valuable for us all.

God is sufficient to touch any need. The widow's first source of help was spiritual. She cried out to the man of God, not the legal system or the police department or the local militia or even her family or temple friends. First, God.
Obedience is required on the way to the fulfillment of any miracle. The widow was told to collect jars and to pour oil. Simple enough. And, that's what she did.
God will use those near us to complete his plan. Without the widow's neighbors there would have been no jars to fill.
God multiplies the little we have by his touch. The feeding of the 5000 testifies to this truth (see John 6:1-15). Just a little oil paid a big debt. And, the widow's sons were spared.
With God in the picture there is always more than enough. Five loaves and two fishes turned into twelve baskets of leftovers after thousands had eaten. And, the widow and her sons lived on what was left after the debt was paid.
Integrity goes a long way with God. The widow and her boys were the same behind shut doors as they were in front of open doors.
God loves to fill empty things. We can "be filled to the measure of the fullness of God." The "immeasurably more than all" God connected all the debt with all the neighbors and all the jars to make something wonderful happen. "To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:19-21).

So, where are you in this account? Are you the victim of a natural disaster or worrying about the lack of resources on any front? Or, are you a neighbor who might have a jar to spare?

In 1 Corinthians 16:15-18, Paul tells of the household of a man named Stephanas. He said they "were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints." Paul was glad when Stephanas and his two cohorts arrived where he was. Why? "Because they have supplied what was lacking." "They refreshed my spirit and yours."

Perhaps this holiday season you will be a refreshment for someone else. Just how many jars do you have in your house?

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Nothing…except By Marilyn Anderes

Nothing…except
By Marilyn Anderes