Basics and Bounties.

I was always taught to put others before myself, as a sacrificial way of living and giving. For me as a young mother and wife, it became very natural to nurture my sons and daughter so each could be healthy and their best. In the meantime, I neglected myself more than I knew.

After the loss of my husband, my impoverished state began to surface. I had to trust that if the very basics were covered, we would hopefully survive and eventually thrive. Anything more than the basics was and remains a lofty goal to attain. Even in our lean days, I claim a principle that worked for a widow so long ago.

When the prophet Elijah came to her door and asked for bread and water, the very last of the basics she had, I imagine she thought he was nuts. His simple request had to be a complete stress point for her, since she and her son had almost nothing left and were trying to survive.  Rather than asking what he could do for her, he asked her FOR something instead.

It was with great confidence in a principle of multiplication that he could even make the request. She was to prepare his food first and THEN some for herself and her son. The prophet who provided her a future would be fed. In essence, she was feeding her future.

Those very basic supplies of flour and oil would flow for an indefinite amount of time, following her giving. She wasn't completely sold on the idea until she needed him to bring health to her son..... at a future time.  Had she not fed the future, this prophet would not have been able to revive her own future........in her son.

Her basics were made bountiful.