Photoshoots and a Widow || Day 12 - Monique

Hello again! I hope you are all doing well, thank you for your ongoing prayer support. We definitely appreciate it! Wednesday was photoshoot day for the team. After class 3, we walked up a bajillion stairs (okay, I have no idea how many there really were, but they went on and on and on!). I'm so glad Grace walked with me behind everyone else, and that we survived the great ascent, haha! When we finally made it to the top of those stairs, it was beautiful. We were looking at the splendor of God surrounding us through nature from that great height. Grace took pictures of the whole team, it was such fun! The team also went to church that night, I really like the church we are attending. They are hardcore, always pointing to the Word of God and telling the people to focus on Him and not the pastors who are preaching. The pastors also quote various Scriptures throughout the sermons and they welcome all newcomers in front of the entire congregation before service. Last night's sermon was preached from 1 Kings 16:29-17:16, the story of Elijah asking a widow (who had a son) to bring him a little water in a cup and a bit of bread. The pastor pointed out that the widow's response (having little and planning to make a last meal for her and her son before dying) showed that she was depressed. I had never thought of that section of the passage in that way before, but his explanation made sense. The widow had given up all hope, focusing on her circumstances instead of continuing to place her hope in God. She said this was it, eating with her son and dying, instead of continuing to pray and seek God despite the impossible circumstances surrounding her. She was afraid. Yet when Elijah, as instructed by God, told her not to be afraid and asked her to give him some water and bread *first*, she obeyed. Because of this obedience, the Lord miraculously filled her containers with flour and olive oil for many days. How many times do we look around at our circumstances and feel like giving up? It happens, we're human and become discouraged. But the Lord didn't give up on the widow, despite her lack of hope, and He doesn't give up on us either. He gave her a command through Elijah, to do something that seemed pointless and to take more from her. However, in reality, it was a test of faith and obedience that led to the Lord's provision in a way that she couldn't even imagine. Don't lose hope, even when things become difficult. The Lord can still use you during these times if you follow His leading, and He will grow you in faith, character, and endurance when you faithfully follow His path.