Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Iris (04/17/25)
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TITLE: One Loaf of Bread | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
04/21/25 -
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“I know,” sighed Iris.
With a heavy heart, she trudged into her pantry. She knew the flour jar and oil jug were near empty. Just enough left to make one loaf of bread for them to eat, and then they would die.
“Yahweh, we need a miracle. I don’t want to watch my son die,” prayed Iris. “Please Yahweh…..”
As she was kneeling in prayer she heard a knock on her door. “Now who could that be?” pondered Iris.
She arose and walked to the door. As she opened it a man stood outside. A man she did not know.
“Good day woman,” he began.
“Iris.”
“What?”
“My name is Iris. What can I do for you today?”
“Iris. I have come to ask for some water and bread. I am hungry and my LORD directed me to your house with the promise that you would feed me.”
Iris laughed a bitter laugh. “Your LORD must have gotten things wrong. I have nothing here but a little flour and a little oil to bake one last meal for my son and myself, and then we will die.”
“No, I’m certain my LORD would not lead me astray. He definitely told me to come here, to this house, that you would feed me.”
“Sir,”
“Elijah.”
“Come again?”
“My name is Elijah.”
“Elijah, if I had the means I would gladly feed you. But I must think of my young son. He is hungry and this is all I have to give to him.”
“Iris, feed me first and I will make you a promise. There will be enough flour and oil in your pantry to feed you until the LORD sends rain to the earth and this drought is over.”
Is this a dream?
Iris wanted to believe him, but dare she? He was a stranger after all. She had never met him before. Now he comes to her door asking to be fed, during a drought, then promises her flour and oil will last until….who knows when.
Could his promise be true?
Could she trust his words?
Should she trust him?
She had prayed for a miracle. Was Elijah her miracle?
“Please come in,” Iris finally invited. “And sit.”
Elijah entered the small kitchen and sat at the round table. He noticed a wide-eyed boy staring at him.
“Hello young man,” Elijah smiled. “What is your name?”
“Joab and I’m five years old,” Joab proudly announced.
“You’re a fine young man Joab. I’m pleased to meet you.”
Joab wasn’t sure if he was pleased to meet Elijah or not. After all, his mom was about to give him the last bread they had, and he was hungry.
Iris listened as she prepared the bread. When it was finished, she gave it to Elijah along with some water. She and Joab watched as Elijah ate the bread; bread meant for Joab. As she watched, a single tear slipped from her eye. She quickly wiped it away, but not before Elijah noticed.
“Iris, this is delicious. Thank you for making it for me and thank you for trusting me. When I leave you will find your flour jar full to the rim and your oil jug the same. There will be enough to make bread for a long time to come. Your faith has accomplished great things today and you and your son will be blessed.”
Iris gave him a weak smile as her heart tried to process all that was going on.
When Elijah finished his repast he acknowledged his thanks, then took his leave.
“May the Lord show favor to this house,” Elijah said as he closed the door behind him.
“Mom,” Joab asked excitedly. “Do you really think what he said is true. Come on, let’s go look and see if we have flour and oil.”
Cautiously they pushed the pantry door open. There, in the middle of the counter was a full jar of flour and a full jug of oil.
“How did he do that mom?” Joab asked excitedly. “Mom, we can eat!” By now Joab was jumping up and down with excitement.
“Yes, Joab, he did as he promised. He said Yahweh told him to come to our house. Our house Joab! Yahweh provided a miracle for us today. A miracle for which I prayed.”
“Yahweh is so good isn’t He mom?”
“Indeed, Yahweh is good. He is more than good is is Yahweh Jireh, ‘The Lord Will Provide.’”
Story taken from 1 Kings 17: 8-16
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