Flour and Oil

"Please, Mom, help me untie this knot."

She looked earnestly and helplessly at me with her big brown eyes. I wanted to do anything but that. I had spent my whole morning teaching home school lessons and preparing food. The toddler was napping, and she and her sisters were finally having quiet time. I was trying to settle down to an hour or so of restorative writing, and was a little stressed about some deadlines I had to meet.

The oil and flour of my energy for my children was about out. Dear Lord, I have nothing left for her right now. Do I really have to do this? I pleaded to Heaven.

It was just one knot, and the Lord nudged me to do the right thing.

Do not be afraid . . . . The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry. (1 Kings 17:13-14) I knew in that moment that if I just gave a little more of myself for my child that He would supply the grace, and that those pesky writing deadlines would be met.

This has always been the way of the Lord in my life; He always asks of me a little bit more than what I think I can give. He pushes me beyond my limits, and I think He does this to show me how much I need Him. He does this to show me that none of the good I do is actually my own work at all, but Him working through me. He just asks me to trust in Him, choose His will, and accept His grace always.

Only when I live my life in complete dependence on Him, seeking to do His will in both big and little things, will the salt of my life keep its flavor and the light not burn out.

He just asks me to trust in Him, choose His will, and accept His grace always.Click to tweet

Dear sisters, ask God for the grace today to be open to His little nudges to give more than you think you can. You will be amazed at what He helps you do when you are open to Him.

Susanna Spencer is the Theological Editor for Blessed is She who studied theology and philosophy in her earlier life. She happily cares for her three adorable little girls, toddler boy, and her dear husband in Saint Paul when not writing and editing. She loves beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious meals, baking amazing sweets, reading good books, raising her children, casually following baseball, and talking to her philosopher husband. You can find out more about her here.