Many times we feel overwhelmed because we don't have the power to change our circumstances. A spouse loses their job, a parent has a life-changing health problem, a couple receives devastating news, among many other problems that we may face. The widow in today's passage definitely understood these difficult circumstances. She was grieving, as she had just experienced the death of her husband. It was hard to be a widow in those days. When she woke up each morning, she felt alone and abandoned in her difficult circumstances.

That season was a time of pain for this woman, as she had to deal with difficult challenges every day without her husband. She was a single mother, trying to raise her children without enough income to provide for her family. She lived under threat because the man to whom they were indebted was on his way to collect from her, and if he didn't get that money, he was going to keep her children instead. The widow felt helpless.

In our times of loss, emptiness, or threat, we can focus on our misfortunes, rather than counting our blessings. The widow's misfortune was the lack of income to pay off her debt, her blessing was a little oil. We, too, have blessings even when we're in a season that makes us think: Now what? During this time, it is difficult to ignore the problem and perceive the blessings, but when we choose to look beyond our current circumstances, God helps us to see our blessings. We, like the widow, may see how little we have and think it's not enough, but God looks at how little we have and says, "It's enough." With a little faith, the widow poured and poured, until each vessel was filled with oil. God knew the exact amount of oil the widow needed to pay off her debts. He took this oil and used it to transform not only her life, but also that of her children.

God knows exactly what we need. He will take any small amount we have and multiply it so that it is exactly what we need. All we need to do is offer ourselves like empty vessels, allowing God to pour into us what we need during this time.

Suggested Prayer: Dear God, renew my vision so that I can see what I have instead of what I lack. Give me the widow's proactivity to react, to seek and to act. I want to see your glory in my life, Lord. Today I open my heart and offer myself as an empty vessel for you to fill me with your presence. Help me to always keep in mind that you are my Father, my Provider, and my Almighty God who is always watching over me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1.    2 Kings 4:6.

Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.