Down a Notch or Two: Finding More Pots by Nancy R. Smith The widow in the story in 2 Kings 4:1-7 tells Elisha that she has only a jar of oil. He tells her to have her sons gather all the pots and pans and vessels they can find from all their neighbors and to pour her one jar of oil into them. And so the kids go and get the vessels and the widow pours.... The kids go and get the vessels and the widow pours.... ....and she pours.... ....and she pours! If you’ve a lost a job or have retired or have an empty nest, go find some more pots to fill! As long as we keep pouring out the gifts God has given us, God will keep providing. It was only when there were no more containers left to receive the oil that the oil stopped flowing! Feeding Thousands in the Gospels There’s a great similarity between the stories of these two widows and the feeding miracles in the Gospels. You know, the stories of Jesus feeding 4- 5000 people at a time with only a few loaves and fishes. First, the feeding miracles – like the stories of the widows – depended on the person’s willingness to give what they already had! And second, the people failed at first to understand the importance of what they already had! Chapter 6 of the Gospel of Mark says: “When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so they can … buy something … to eat.’ But he answered them, ‘YOU give them something to eat.’ “They said to him, ‘Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?’ “And he said to them, ‘How many loaves do you have?’” Then he had to tell them “‘Go and see.’ When they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’”(1) And it was enough to feed all of the people!! Versions of this story appear FIVE TIMES in the four Gospels! And in each story, from 4000 to 5000 people are fed. Continued in Down a Notch or Two: Bringing It All to God. (This series begins with Down a Notch or Two: Loss of Income and Status.) (1) All Scripture references are from The New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Nancy Smith is a writer, educator, and ordained deacon whose ministry is to link faith and work, spirituality and justice, passion and ethics. From her own commitment to the Christian faith, she affirms the common spiritual experiences of people of all faiths and encourages inter-religious dialogue. Nancy offers Spiritual Life Retreats as well as workshops on Workplace Spirituality and Career Decisions. All are appropriate for both clergy and laity. Visit her web ministry at www.WorkplaceSpirituality.info | 
